NEW YORK | Resorts World New York (Casino)

[NYguy]

Very ironic that I happen to be in Vegas as I read this...


http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article...TICS/306109978

For new convention center, all bets are on
Cuomo's gambling reversal gives Javits a shot at hotel, casino jackpot via Pier 76



By Lisa Fickenscher
June 10, 2012

Pier 76 is home to the Police Department's tow pound and horse stables. But in the near future, it could become an extension of the neighboring Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, complete with a grand casino and luxury hotels.

Earlier this year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo threatened to tear Javits down. Now the center's supporters, and perhaps even the governor, are weighing plans to expand the facility and make it part of a massive development project that will include a Las Vegas-style casino, hotels and retail along the Hudson River. The plan is gaining support from many corners, including individual members of Friends of the Hudson River Park Trust.

http://observer.com/2012/06/vegas-on...-center-needs/

Vegas on the Hudson! Casino, Giant Ferris Wheel Just What Javits Center Needs

By Matt Chaban 6/11

The long list of interests betting on a casino is a familiar one, too. Beyond Mr. Achtel, MGM Mirage, Las Vegas Sands and $70 million condo owner Stever Wynn have all expressed interest. As has perhaps the most surprising booster of all, Mayor Michael Bloomberg. During his weekly radio program on Friday, the mayor said he could see two casinos or more finding a home in the five boroughs. “This city is big enough to have more than one,” Mayor Bloomberg said on the John Grambling Show. “We have lots of different arts venues, for example, lots of different concert halls and stadiums.” (Too bad it’s not the John Gambling Show….)

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...sEnabled=false


Borough President Marty Markowitz: Let’s roll the dice on casino gambling in Coney Island
Be Our Guest: Coney Island offers beaches, amusements, Boardwalk, concessions; a casino would be a good fit


By Marty Markowitz
June 11, 2012

The most successful urban casinos are those that are part of a broader entertainment experience, and Coney Island provides it all: world-class beaches, thrilling rides and amusements, a historic Boardwalk, the New York Aquarium, concessions, professional baseball and summer concerts. The area is well served by four subway lines and seven bus routes, providing gamblers with a host of transportation options, including tour buses which can handle a large number of patrons in a single vehicle.

Coney Island has some of the highest unemployment rates in New York City, and a casino would provide well-paying jobs to local residents who should certainly be given hiring priority as part of any agreement.

And then there are the ancillary economic benefits from casino patrons who would stroll the Boardwalk and frequent local businesses.

Let me be clear: this would not be another Atlantic City. Any casino — or casinos — would be incorporated as part of Coney Island’s already existing ambience, and would complement — not detract from — the character and characters that have made Coney Island unique. The addition of a casino would serve as a catalyst for further economic development and solidify Coney Island as the city’s premier year-round amusement and seaside entertainment destination. When you really get down to it, where else but Coney Island?

[NYguy]

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012...-resorts-world

Aqueduct's racino No. 1 in slots revenue

GLENN BLAIN
June 18, 2012

And the winner is — Aqueduct.

The Resorts World racino at Aqueduct is now tops in the nation in slot machine revenue, generating $57.5 million during May, according to state gambling data. Resorts World’s haul eclipsed the powerhouse Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut, which took in $55.4 million. Foxwoods casino in Connecticut ranked third with $50.4 million in revenue from the one-armed bandits.

“Resorts World’s model has maximized gaming revenue for New York State in a manner that has not been replicated by any other facility in the nation,” boasted Michael Speller, president of Resorts World Casino New York City.

Gambling industry experts credited Aqueduct’s quick rise to the top — the racino opened in October — to its location inside the huge New York City market. “New York City gamblers have long filled their gambling desires in Atlantic City and Connecticut,” said Joseph Weinert, senior vice president of the Spectrum Gaming Group, a consulting firm. “Now they have someplace right in their backyard, and they are going there in droves,” Weinert added.

Resorts World’s May revenues resulted in more than $40 million to support the horse racing industry and state operations, including $25 million for education funding. Resorts World’s highest-grossing month so far was March, generating $59 million in revenue. Its revenue dropped each of the next two months, but the racino still managed to finally surpass its Connecticut rivals. According to Resorts World, the $40 million it gave to support education and other interests in May far exceeded what other states collected from gambling interests. The Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos together generated $28 million for Connecticut in May.

[NYguy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.1108039

New York raked in $1 billion more than New Jersey in gambling money,
making the Empire State 3rd behind Nevada and California
The Empire State's racinos have surged as Atlantic City's casino's have slumped and gamblers opt for closer casinos


By Glenn Blain
July 5, 2012

New York now holds the cards in its battle with New Jersey for gambling business. The Empire State has yet to legalize full-fledged casino gambling, but its eight racinos and other gambling operations have already eclipsed the gaming revenue of its neighbor on the other side of the Hudson River, a new report found.

Gambling interests generated $5.4 billion in New York in 2010, the most recent year for which numbers were available. That moves the state into third place behind Nevada ($10.5 billion) and California ($9.7 billion), according to Casino City Press’ newly released North American Gaming Almanac. New Jersey, even with the host of casinos in Atlantic City, raked in only $4.4 billion in 2010 — down from $6.4 billion the year before. The slide dropped the Garden State to fourth place on the list.

New York’s 2010 gaming revenue rose from $4.7 billion in 2009. It included $1.05 billion from Native American-run casinos, $2.8 billion from the lottery and $1.08 billion from slots parlors at race tracks. And the 2010 figures don’t even include the hugely successful Resorts World racino at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. The slots parlor opened in 2011 to robust earnings and will undoubtedly boost New York’s take this year, Narayanan said.

Gov. Cuomo used his State of the State address in January to call for legalizing Las Vegas-style casinos. He argued that New York is still losing nearly $1 billion a year in gaming revenue to its neighbors. “States and Canadian provinces just across our borders have legalized casino gaming,” Cuomo said in the speech. “They get the tourism, the revenue and the good jobs that belong here.”

[mrnyc]

interesting to see numbers, but this is no surprize.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by mrnyc

interesting to see numbers, but this is no surprize.

It's a sign that there's no turning back now. There may still be some opposition to legalizing gambling, but money speaks louder than sentiment.

[NYguy]

http://www.qchron.com/editions/south...3193d2e9d.html

Casino subway stop work remains stalled
Station was due to open months ago

July 12, 2012
by Domenick Rafter

The Resorts World New York City Casino is closing in on its first anniversary in business. The bars, restaurants, games and other amenities are all open and serving customers. All, save but one. Months after it was due to open, the A train subway station at Aqueduct Racetrack still is not operating full time. The station, which has one platform on the Manhattan-bound track, is open only on racing days and is served only by Manhattan-bound trains.

Resorts World NYC Spokesman Stefan Friedman said the enclosed skybridge connecting the casino to the station is completed, but work at the station itself is held up because approvals are still needed for work to transform the station into one that could be used full time and in both directions, including a second platform to serve southbound trains

“While we’ve encountered a few unexpected delays en route to the completion of the Aqueduct station, we’ve been working nonstop with the MTA to expedite its completion,” Friedman said.“Construction of the bridge is complete and we hope to soon have all approvals from the MTA in order to move forward with the renovation of the platform.”

For the time being, Resorts World has been utilizing shuttle buses from the Aqueduct-North Conduit Avenue station which has an exit at the south end of the property.

___________________________________


http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/b..._content=Local

Bettors hitting jackpot at Big A

By CARL CAMPANILE
July 9, 2012

It’s a win-win at the Big A! The Aqueduct racino provides the biggest bang for bettors’ bucks — by paying out more in winnings than any other racino in the state, The Post has learned. Aqueduct Resorts World also is the taxpayers’ biggest friend — it’s the state’s biggest tax-revenue producer of its nine racinos, despite its higher payout rate to players.

Financial reports filed with the state Lottery Division reveal that Aqueduct Resorts World returns about 94 percent of its gambling machine revenues to its bettors. From April through mid-June of this year, bettors put just over $3.178 billion into the machines — and the racino returned $3 billion to winners.

[NYguy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.1130292

Racino at Aqueduct Race Track in Queens draws a record 1 million customers in July
and generates nearly $60 million in net revenue for the month


By Kenneth Lovett
August 6, 2012

July was a jackpot month for the racino at Aqueduct Race Track in Queens.

More than 1 million customers visited the racino in July — the highest monthly total ever recorded by one of the nine virtual casinos in New York.

The wave of customers to Aqueduct’s racino generated $59.75 million in net revenue for the month, also a state record. Further, the Aqueduct racino’s haul represented 38% of the net revenue of all racinos in the state combined.

The racino at Yonkers Raceway was No. 2 in July, coming in $15 million under Aqueduct’s tally.

Since Resorts World opened the Aqueduct racino nine months ago — offering customers thousands of video slot machines and electronic table games — it has pulled in almost a half-billion dollars in net revenue. That has meant more than $330 million in direct revenue for the state, including more than $212 million for education.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/08/08...acino-in-july/

Record $1.13B wagered at Aqueduct racino in July

August 08, 2012

More than a billion dollars bet by nearly a million customers last month is the latest evidence that the "racino" at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York City is capitalizing on its prime location and drawing dollars and gamblers from neighboring states' casinos. A record $1.13 billion was wagered in July at the Resorts World Casino New York City in Queens. The popular electronic gambling operation reported to New York regulators that the amount gambled and the net revenue of $59.75 million for July were at an all-time monthly high since its opening in October, edging out totals from March, when the racino pulled in $59 million.

Last week, the parent company of Mohegan Sun casinos in Connecticut and Pennsylvania cited rising competition — mentioning the Aqueduct racino in particular — as one reason for "lackluster" quarterly results, along with a weak economy. While Pennsylvania's Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs performed well, the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority said that revenue for the April-June period of $344.4 million was down 4.7 percent from the same period the year before. New Jersey officials last month reported that the net amount of money won by casinos in the first six months of the year, $1.5 billion, was down 6.5 percent compared to 2011.

And gamblers visiting Aqueduct this week said proximity was a big draw. Metropolitan area residents who came through the mammoth parking filled with buses and vans to the two floors of blinking machines above the racetrack talked about convenience.

[NYguy]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/ny...anted=all&_r=0

Simple but Local, Queens Slots Are Hurting Gambling Meccas








By CHARLES V. BAGLI
October 23, 2012

A casino that opened a year ago at the fading Aqueduct horse racing track in Queens has emerged as the country’s highest-grossing slot parlor, helping to reshape the gambling landscape in the Northeast as patrons chose less opulent, more local casinos instead of traditional gambling meccas in Atlantic City and Connecticut.

The casino, Resorts World Casino New York City, generated nearly $630 million in revenue over the last 12 months from electronic slot machines, more than the slots at any of the 12 casinos in Atlantic City or at Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. The average income from an electronic slot machine is more than $370 a day, compared with $169 for slots on the Strip in Las Vegas.

The success of the casino, the only one in the five boroughs of New York, suggests that no matter how luxurious the accommodations or exciting the entertainment, nothing appeals more to gamblers than a casino that is nearby...................Casino revenues in Atlantic City have dropped 36 percent, from a high of $5.2 billion in 2006 to $3.3 billion last year. Revenues are also down at Connecticut casinos. Last month, Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., the world’s largest casino, announced it would lay off another 328 workers, blaming the casino at Aqueduct and a weak economy.

“I used to go to Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods on the fast ferry,” said Ralph Barbaro, 77, a retired salesman, as he played a slot machine at Resorts World. “This is very convenient. It takes me 20, 25 minutes to get here from my home on Long Island.”

The Aqueduct and Yonkers casinos together generated more than $1.1 billion in revenue in the past year, more than double what Empire City did a year earlier. Officials say they want to balance economic development and tax revenue while avoiding pitfalls of increased competition and tax rate changes. But Genting, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas Sands and the other gambling companies that want to build full-scale casinos in New York also say they want the tax rate slashed substantially in order to justify building a $2 billion resort-casino.

[NYguy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.1199662

Aqueduct racino rakes in dough despite Superstorm Sandy’s wrath
Hurricane doesn’t deter gamblers, racino earns $8 million during worst of storm

By Clare Trapasso And Irving Dejohn
November 9, 2012

The Aqueduct racino’s earning power appears to be hurricane proof. The gambling hub operated by Resorts World Casino New York City raked in more than $8 million during the week that the city was under siege from Superstorm Sandy, according to recent State Lottery figures. That number is even more impressive when you consider that at Sandy’s apex, the South Ozone Park attraction was closed for a day and a half. That means the racino raked in an average of $1.45 million for each day it was open that week — just shy of its take of about $1.84 million a day during a typical week.

“We had cabin fever and the buses were free, so we decided to come and win some of the money we lost from the storm,” patron Emily Elliot, 29, told the Daily News during a visit on Nov. 1. The Williamsburg-based nanny wasn’t alone in her quest for a jackpot among all the storm damage. Gas shortages, a transit shut-down and power outages couldn’t stop gamblers from feeding dollars into the racino’s video lottery terminals.

Joanie Kiceina, 52, came from Mastic, L.I., to try her luck after a planned trip to the Poconos had to be cancelled. “It’s pretty packed,” Kiceina said as she surveyed the casino floor with her husband. "People need a diversion,” said Rosemary Costello, 72, of Bayside as she played on a slot terminal with a few of her friends. “You need to forget your troubles.”

The areas to the south of the Aqueduct racino saw some of the worst storm damage in the city. The Rockaways is beset with destroyed houses and frustrated residents. Broad Channel is a mere shell of what it once was.

Racino brass sidestepped talk of impressive revenue figures and focused on its role in Queens’ relief efforts. “Since Superstorm Sandy hit, the leadership of Resorts World New York has been solely focused on the recovery of our neighbors,” spokesman Stefan Friedman said in a statement. FEMA and the Red Cross have been using the facility to coordinate assistance to the storm-ravaged sections of Queens. Racino employees have delivered meals to 700 residents of hard-hit areas such as Howard Beach and Broad Channel, Friedman added.

[NYguy]

http://online.wsj.com/article/AP4d1e...c0bfbfe08.html

Cuomo: New York City could get a casino later

January 10, 2013

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he wants casino operators to compete for three sites upstate rather than downstate, but New York City could get a casino in the second phase of his gambling plan.

Cuomo in his State of the State address proposed that an expansion of gambling in New York begin upstate. Cuomo on Thursday elaborated, saying casino operators will bid higher and strike more lucrative revenue deals for the state over upstate casinos if New York City isn't an immediate option.

The state Legislature is expected this year to consider final passage of an amendment to the state constitution that would allow up to seven Las Vegas-style casinos beyond Indian land. If approved by lawmakers, voters could make a final decision on the amendment in November.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...7&sec=business

Golden opportunity for Genting in US

By WONG WEI-SHEN
January 11, 2013

On Wednesday, Cuomo unveiled New York's plans to increase revenue and boost tourism in upstate New York. Phase One of the plan includes three private casinos in upstate New York. According to him, no casinos will be located in New York City, as the plan is to bring downstate New Yorkers and other visitors to upstate New York.

Last year, Cuomo named Genting Malaysia as the state's partner to build a US$4bil convention centre at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York, as an extension of its existing project - Resort World New York.

“Despite the toned-down proposal announced by Governor Cuomo, we remain optimistic that the willingness of the New York state regulators to liberalise the gaming sector will offer Genting Malaysia a golden opportunity to expand its gaming operations in the US,” Cheah said.

Meanwhile, PublicInvest Research was unexcited about the latest plan.

“After spending US$700mil in New York, it would have been a boon to be able to use the existing facilities for a full-scale casino, rather than spending more somewhere upstate,” said the research house.

Additionally, Genting Malaysia's existing Aqueduct racino is in Queens, which is downstate. “If they were to bid for a casino licence in Phase One, and if they were to win it, it would mean another hefty investment,” the research house noted.

[aquablue]

Is there still plans for a conference hall at the racino?

[Crawford]

Originally Posted by aquablue

Is there still plans for a conference hall at the racino?

The convention center is based on Javits moving. They aren't going to build the convention center unless they have an agreement re. gaming in NYC.

[NYguy]

Genting wants and plans to expand the existing casino with or without legalized gambling in the City. They no longer have an "exclusive" agreement with the state for a convention center. But its doubtful any private enterprise would be willing to put forth the money Genting has said it will, especially now that Cuomo wants to push legalized gambling casinos upstate, further away from the City.


Meanwhile, the quest for legalized casinos in New York continues...

http://www.cityandstateny.com/lawmak...e-casino-plan/

“We propose a casino plan to boost upstate development,” Cuomo said, noting that New York City has 8.2 million residents and 50 million tourists a year. “I believe casinos in upstate New York could be a great magnet to bring the New York City traffic up. They now go to New Jersey, they go to Connecticut – why don’t we bring them to upstate New York?”

But several key lawmakers disagreed with various elements of the governor’s proposal, casting doubt on whether legalization will go forward on the governor’s terms. The Legislature last year passed a constitutional amendment to legalize up to seven casinos in the state, and it would have to be passed again this year before going before voters in a referendum. One unanswered question is whether to allow a lucrative Las Vegas-style casino in New York City, though that could be off the table for the time being. “It was a surprise to me that he’s limiting it to three at this stage,” said Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, who chairs the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee. “I think that if we’re trying to maximize our revenue, you should look at doing all seven immediately, even if we don’t go into the building phase immediately, just go through the allocation phase and get that done.”

...keeping casinos out of New York City would prevent Genting’s popular Resorts World New York racino — which has slots but no table games — from submitting a bid to expand into a full-fledged casino. Assemblyman Philip Goldfeder and state Sen. Joseph Addabbo, whose districts include Resorts World New York, both issued statements expressing disappointment about the governor’s plan. Yet Cuomo was careful not to take New York City off the table entirely, referring to his upstate casino plan as “Phase One.”

“We propose, ‘Phase One,’ three casinos all in upstate New York,” the governor said. “No casinos in New York City, because the plan is to bring downstate New Yorkers to upstate.”

I'm not sure how the upstate part of Cuomo's plan is supposed to work. If they are dependent on traffic from the City to keep the upstate casinos going, number 1 as seen in Atlantic City, the Aqueduct casino is already killing business there because people don't want to make an unneccesary trip, and number 2, if casinos are eventually legalized in the City, it would kill the upstate traffic anyway. I don't understand why he hasn't learned anything from the losses in New Jersey and Connecticut casinos. Just being in New York state doesn't cut it, its a matter of convenience for many people.



http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/ny...anted=all&_r=0

The casino, Resorts World Casino New York City, generated nearly $630 million in revenue over the last 12 months from electronic slot machines, more than the slots at any of the 12 casinos in Atlantic City or at Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. The average income from an electronic slot machine is more than $370 a day, compared with $169 for slots on the Strip in Las Vegas.

The success of the casino, the only one in the five boroughs of New York, suggests that no matter how luxurious the accommodations or exciting the entertainment, nothing appeals more to gamblers than a casino that is nearby...................Casino revenues in Atlantic City have dropped 36 percent, from a high of $5.2 billion in 2006 to $3.3 billion last year. Revenues are also down at Connecticut casinos. Last month, Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., the world’s largest casino, announced it would lay off another 328 workers, blaming the casino at Aqueduct and a weak economy.

“I used to go to Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods on the fast ferry,” said Ralph Barbaro, 77, a retired salesman, as he played a slot machine at Resorts World. “This is very convenient. It takes me 20, 25 minutes to get here from my home on Long Island.”

http://www.qchron.com/editions/queen...9bb2963f4.html

Cuomo casino plan worries Queens legislators

legislators who represent the communities near Resorts World Casino New York City — the only casino in the five boroughs — said the plan to not allow full casino gambling at Aqueduct Racetrack will prevent much-needed jobs and tourism from coming to Queens.

“I do have a major concern over the governor’s remarks made regarding the future of casinos which may impact the future of Resorts World and the opportunity for additional jobs and revenue there,” said state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach).

Currently, gamers can play table games like roulette and baccarat at Resorts World, but only in computerized versions. Michael Speller, President of Resorts World, said in 2011 that the casino would be able to add table games to the gaming floor if and when they are approved. The decision to introduce full gaming upstate may also kill proposed plans for casinos elsewhere in the city, such as Coney Island.

“I appreciate Governor Cuomo’s desire to boost our economy and create jobs by allowing enhanced gaming throughout New York State, but we must not forget New York City,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Far Rockaway). “I look forward to working with the governor to finally bring an enhanced casino to Resorts World at Aqueduct in Queens and provide our neighborhoods the economic boost needed, especially as we recover from Hurricane Sandy.”

Stefan Friedman, a spokesman for Resorts World, said the casino was supportive of Cuomo’s plan to bring full gaming to the state, even just for Upstate.

“We remain interested in enhancing our extremely successful partnership with New York State and look forward to reviewing the Governor’s proposal to facilitate economic development in upstate New York,” Friedman said in a statement released only hours after the State of the State speech. “As an organization that sent nearly $300 million to the state education fund last year alone, we are enthusiastically supportive of any arrangement that benefits New York State’s schoolchildren.”

Meanwhile, its business as usual at Aqueduct...


http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/q...zR3OccL4RuteAK

Only casino-bus depot at failing shopping site

By ISABEL VINCENT and MELISSA KLEIN
January 13, 2013

The only tenant so far in a long-planned retail center that’s supposed to attract shoppers to downtown Jamaica will be a bus station that instead takes them away — to the Resorts World racino at Aqueduct Raceway.

A sign in one of the three storefronts, which have remained empty since they were finished last June, advertises: “Coming soon: Bus Depot Here!”

The Greater Jamaica Development Corp., the politically connected nonprofit that used $9.2 million in taxpayer money to clean up the area and develop the retail arcade, says it has signed a lease with Resorts World for the largest of the storefronts on Sutphin Boulevard.

It will basically be a waiting room for free shuttle buses that run to the racino every 20 minutes. The 2,300-square-foot space is now an empty shell.

[TowerVerre:)]

I saw this hotel what will built there in the new york wheel threat, that was looking like atlantic city, now this .... How amazing it would be if we would have a new AC in staten island (of course only a part of )! I hope that will develop like AC the wheel and this is a great start (of course a bit more environmentaly friendly then Las Vegas )

[QUEENSNYMAN]

Any word on the opening of the A line subway station here? Or has the MTA put priorites first to rebuilding the line south of Horward Beach due to Hurricane Sandy's damage?

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by QUEENSNYMAN

Any word on the opening of the A line subway station here? Or has the MTA put priorites first to rebuilding the line south of Horward Beach due to Hurricane Sandy's damage?

You mean the covered walkway? I've seen a posting on facebook that said it would be opening soon. It's also on the website.
http://www.rwnewyork.com/visit-resorts-world


Meanwhile, the money keeps coming in...(surprise, surprise)

http://www.qgazette.com/news/2013-01...g_Records.html

Resorts World Casino Continues Breaking Records

1-30-2013

Resorts World Casino New York City’s popularity continues to grow, as the facility shattered the record for the amount wagered in one month with over $1.2 billion credits played, according to figures recently released by the New York Lottery. With gross gaming revenues of $59.7 million in the month of December—$40.9 million of which was sent to the state, with $26 million specifically to the state’s education fund—the casino generated the second-highest revenue in its brief history, capping off a record-breaking year with yet another record-breaking month.

“Resorts World Casino is breaking records on a regular basis. With more visitors than ever coming through our doors, it’s clear that New Yorkers and tourists alike know that Resorts World Casino New York City is a world-class gaming experience right here in Queens—just minutes, not hours, away,” said Michael Speller, President of Resorts World Casino New York City. “With a fantastic first year in the books, we look forward to doing even more to improve the gaming and entertainment experience in 2013.”

In 2013, Resorts World Casino is finding ways to make the ultimate entertainment experience New York City has to offer even more accessible. With the introduction of the free Jamaica Station Shuttle Bus, and the opening of the covered walkway to the A train, getting to Resorts World Casino’s daily entertainment and gaming options will be easier than ever before.

[NYguy]

http://saratogian.com/articles/2013/...d055725013.txt

State gaming outperforms casinos in Pennsylvania, New Jersey


February 12, 2013
by Paul Post

New York’s racetrack casinos, with electronic games only, are already outperforming full-fledged casinos in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that have live dealers.

However, putting Las Vegas-style casinos in New York would generate even more revenue for the state, proponents say.

The Legislature is expected to approve a measure that would let voters decide the fate of full-casino gaming with a statewide public referendum in November.

“While we are performing better than Pennsylvania and New Jersey, we believe there is still significant revenue to be gained by the casino proposal,” said Rita Cox, Saratoga Casino & Raceway vice president.

New York’s nine racetrack casinos, including Saratoga, had gross gaming revenues of $147 million in January, an 8 percent increase over last year. Much of this is from Aqueduct Racetrack’s new Resorts World Casino, which has quickly become the country’s fastest-growing gaming venue since opening in late October 2011.

By comparison, slot machine revenues in January were down 1 percent in Pennsylvania and 16 percent in New Jersey, despite both states having full-fledged casinos with table games.

The New York Gaming Association represents the nine New York casinos and says they should be allowed to have an expanded mix of more games, such as poker — electronic versions and with live dealers.

“Then we could beat Atlantic City, Pennsylvania and Las Vegas even more,” President James Featherstonhaugh said.

New York, with electronic games only, is already outperforming its neighbors because Northeast patrons have become more interested in convenience than destination-type resorts, he said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_2588261.html

Casinos In NYC And Long Island Supported By New York State Legislative Leaders

By Yancey Roy
01/31/2013

State legislative leaders aren't embracing Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's proposal to limit new casinos to three upstate locations, saying Long Island and New York City should be in the mix.

Cuomo huddled with Senate and Assembly leaders for about 90 minutes Wednesday to discuss casinos and other issues. Afterward they said talks on an expansion of gambling were still "evolving." But legislators said they aren't sold yet on restricting new casinos to upstate sites only, as the governor outlined in his state budget proposal.

Senate co-leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) said a possible casino on Long Island "will be part of the discussion" -- and specifically mentioned Belmont Park. "I know that Belmont is one of the areas where there have been no VLTs, unlike other tracks throughout the state," Skelos said, referring to video lottery terminals, a type of video slot machine available at other thoroughbred and harness racing tracks, including Aqueduct. "That has to be part of the discussion."

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) has said "less densely populated" areas of New York City such as Willets Point and around Aqueduct should be considered.

[NYguy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.1310209

Resort World Casino beats its own revenue record with $71.2 million in March
The Queens racino at Aqueduct beat out the previous racetrack casino record of $59.8 million, set by Resorts World in July last year.





By Glenn Blain
April 7, 2013

The video slot machines at Aqueduct were churning out big dollars for the state last month — and are generating cash faster than initial projections.

Resorts World Casino generated a record $71.2 million in revenue during March, pumping $31.3 million into the state’s coffers, the Daily News has learned.

The revenue easily eclipsed the state’s previous high for a racetrack casino, a $59.8 million mark set by the same racino in July. “Everything is starting to click,” said Resorts World spokesman Stefan Friedman.

Friedman attributed to the boost in revenue to a combination of factors, including improved marketing and favorable weather in March that lacked major storms but was still cold enough to keep people from outdoor activities.

With the latest figures, the Queens gaming hall, which opened in October 2011, generated $696 million in total revenue for its 2012-13 fiscal year, which ended in March. Of that amount, $306 million went, by law, into state coffers to fund education.

Friedman said the racino’s first-year revenues topped Resorts World’s internal projections by $176 million for its first year.

The revenue growth comes as gaming revenues in other states — including neighboring New Jersey — have declined amid a still-struggling economy and a rapid rise in the number of legalized casinos.

[J. Will]

The Governor of New York has come out and said NYC will not get a full-fledged casino for at least five years. They want to attract people to casinos upstate instead.

[antinimby]

What's the point? Even if people do go upstate for now, they'd stop in five years when NYC goes full fledge.

People don't want to travel too much if they don't have to.