According to research published last week on ‘Racetrack Casinos in New York State: Current Economic Impact’, conducted by Appleseed commissioned by the New York State Gaming Coalition, which represents the existing casinos in the state, the nine casinos racetracks State New York have an economic impact of $ 2 billion and employ about 17 thousand people.
Just on the basis of this success, casino operators who have sponsored this study argue that they should be allowed to operate as Las Vegas. The State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a constitutional amendment to expand the number of allowed games: not just slots, but also poker, roulette and craps, in view of the fact that residents in the State of New York spends $ 3 billion year in practice these games out of state borders.
State legislators are considering legislation that would, therefore, the expansion of gambling, but the details have not yet been disclosed. But meanwhile the racetrack casino operators are concerned that the largest gaming companies could move in the direction of New York.
In January 2004, the Saratoga Raceway & Casino is the first racetrack casino to open in New York. “Only the nine existing casinos racetracks should get the exclusive right to have a full casino,” said Gary Greenberg, minority owner of Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel in Central New York.
Rules of the game on a large scale would require approval by two different legislatures and final ratification by referendum. In November 2013, the measure would be for the first time on the ballot.
The nine racinos together employ 5,431 people in direct and 11,600 indirect, between tourism and agriculture. Also attract people who do not reside in the State, for example, the Saratoga is visited by people coming from Western Massachusetts.
“In addition to what they spend in the casino, visitors do as well in outdoor facilities,” says the study.
