Empire Center Casino and Resorts World Casino New York are willing to support local lawmakers with their contributions, as it recently became evident. Some US$132,000 have been allocated to leading figures to the likes of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. In addition to that, the casino operator also financially supported 13 Democratic state lawmakers from New York City, Hudson Valley, as well as Catskills.
This form of contribution shows the casino resorts’ support of local lawmakers and the general direction they are facing when it comes to gaming expansion on a state level. The donation itself takes place at an important time of the year, as it coincided with the beginning of the 2020 legislative session in Albany. It aims to place the casino resorts in the good books.
Genting Hides Donation
Genting Group is the international casino operator overseeing the locations with the brand Resorts World. Bringing Asian force to the local market, this giant has been ready for an improvement to take place on a local scale. This year is important for the Upstate New York casino complexes, as well as the tribal casino venues across the state, as it could see the official legalization of mobile sports wagering.
January 9 was an important date for the casino operator overseeing both locations, as it saw the first donation of this year. A day earlier, on January 8, the new legislative session commenced for New York State. Lawmakers to the likes of Sen. James Skoufis of Cornwall, Sen. Shelley Mayer of Yonkers and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther of Forestburgh bagged donations amounting to upwards of US$1,500.
It should be taken into account that both Resorts World New York City and Empire Center Casino want to see gaming expansion in the upcoming years, allowing them the chance to bring more gaming opportunities to their premises. This includes in-person sports wagering, potentially featuring mobile betting too, as well as table games. PAC, based in New Jersey, later on, linked with Scott Molina, president of Resorts World Casino New York City, made the contributions.
Casino Expansion in the Works
The enhanced gaming possibilities in Queens and Yonkers have the potential to attract more individuals to the two gaming venues. In addition to the gaming tables and wagering on single sports events, they want to see the introduction of slot machines, essentially making them casino venues. For the time being, they offer video lottery terminals only, limiting the gaming potential of these places.
The ultimate goal for this year would be an amendment to the existing law that would allow the gaming locations to receive a license for gaming operation ahead of the 2023 planned date. Projections are that three casino licenses would be issued in three years, bringing expansion to New York State. However, the conversation of speeding up the expansion has been reignited last summer. Former Governor David Paterson has previously expressed his desire to see a new casino venue approved in 2020.
Fear of cannibalization within the local gaming field has also been surrounding the topic, as commercial casino locations in Upstate New York have been experiencing plunging sports betting revenue over the past few months. December saw the lowest amount since its launch in the summer of 2019. Mobile sports wagering is projected to make the offering even more popular and keep the state competitive enough.
