Las Vegas Sands is upping its efforts in its pursuit of a full-scale casino license in downstate New York. Just recently, the gambling leader announced that it has secured the leader in the destination wellness category, Canyon Ranch, for its US$4-billion bid for an integrated casino resort on Long Island at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
New York is in the process of awarding the three available casino licenses in the downstate region. In January, the Gaming Location Facility Board started a Request for Applications to hear proposals from companies and decide which will be the three winning locations. The panel’s decision will return to the New York State Gaming Commission for a final vote.
Securing Another Partner for Nassau County Site
If Las Vegas Sands lands one of the three licenses, the company plans to build a gambling resort, containing a five-star hotel and a casino floor with slot machines, table games, and sports betting. The project also includes a premium world-class live concert venue, which will honour the live music at the Nassau Coliseum. There will also be plenty of fine restaurants.
Last week, the company bolstered its bid’s chances by adding Canyon Ranch into the mix. The latter owns and operates two resort locations, which are designed to focus on health and well-being. The two properties are located in Lenox, Massachusetts, and Tucson, Arizona, and they provide clients with a wide selection of services and amenities.
In its package of services, CR provides amenities in spa and beauty, fitness, nutrition, health, mind, and spirit. Via, this partnership, the company could provide its world-class services and debut a spa if the bid gets one of the licenses. However, their stays are not exactly cheap, as for instance its “Lifestyle Reset” package, starts at US$1,1000 a night before fees and taxes.
Still a Long Way to Go
However, it should be explained that Las Vegas Sands and its partner still have a long way ahead of them before acquiring one of the licenses and there is no guarantee that they will. This is due to the fact that there are plenty of candidates and two of the licenses are almost nailed on for Resorts World New York City in Queens, and Empire City Casino in Yonkers.
Still, the company’s chances have improved over the last couple of months, as it received a boost from the Nassau County Legislature. In May 2023, the legislature voted 17-1 in favour of granting the lease to the gambling leader, potentially paving its way to launch a world-class casino resort. They cited job creation and economic prosperity for the region as reasoning.
But there are people who are not fans of having a casino complex in Nassau County. For example, trustees from Hofstra University sent an open letter about the proposed gaming project describing it as “entirely inappropriate.” On top of that, a group of locals created a group titled Say No to the Casino Civic Association and demonstrated against it.
