NICHOLS (WENY) - The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board voted and has given the green light for a major expansion to Tioga Downs Racino.The expansion would bring more than 1,000 slot machines, dozens of table games, and more than 150 hotel rooms.
It has been almost two years since New York voters approved proposition one, which allowed full-on casinos in New York State. Wednesday's announcement comes after months of appeals and revisions to their original proposal, which was denied last year.
Back in December of 2014, it was bad news for Tioga Downs when they were intially passed over for one of the four licenses that were being awarded. The state opted not to grant all four available licenses, approving just three casino plans. After pressure from supporters and elected officials, applications were opened back up for the fourth and final license. Tioga Downs then went back to the drawing board and submitted and updated propsal this past July. In September 2015, the State Gaming Location and Facility Board listened to public comments about Tioga Downs postitve impact on the community. …show more content…
The recommendation lets Tioga Downs go to the Gaming Commision to apply for a full gaming license. With that comes more than 50 table games, 1,000 slot machines, and more than 150 hotel rooms. Not to mention, the amount of jobs it will take to not only create the expansion but to run it as well. "We're absolutely thrilled! It's a tremendous opportunity and not just for teh staff here but teh entire Southern Tier. There's alot of jobs we're ready to open up," explains Senior Vice President of Operations at Tioga Downs, Jeff
It has been almost two years since New York voters approved proposition one, which allowed full-on casinos in New York State. Wednesday's announcement comes after months of appeals and revisions to their original proposal, which was denied last year.
Back in December of 2014, it was bad news for Tioga Downs when they were intially passed over for one of the four licenses that were being awarded. The state opted not to grant all four available licenses, approving just three casino plans. After pressure from supporters and elected officials, applications were opened back up for the fourth and final license. Tioga Downs then went back to the drawing board and submitted and updated propsal this past July. In September 2015, the State Gaming Location and Facility Board listened to public comments about Tioga Downs postitve impact on the community. …show more content…
The recommendation lets Tioga Downs go to the Gaming Commision to apply for a full gaming license. With that comes more than 50 table games, 1,000 slot machines, and more than 150 hotel rooms. Not to mention, the amount of jobs it will take to not only create the expansion but to run it as well. "We're absolutely thrilled! It's a tremendous opportunity and not just for teh staff here but teh entire Southern Tier. There's alot of jobs we're ready to open up," explains Senior Vice President of Operations at Tioga Downs, Jeff