The New York State Gaming Commission voted Monday to issue licenses for three planned Upstate casinos that were first selected a year ago.
The casinos are slated for Town of Thompson in Sullivan County, Schenectady, N.Y. in Schenectady County and Tyre, N.Y. in Seneca County. The the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board announced the three locations in December 2014.
"We thank the New York State Gaming Commission for its consideration and thorough review of applications," said Greg Carlin, CEO of Rush Street Gaming, which will operate the Rivers Casino in Schenectady. "We look forward to beginning construction as anticipated, to bringing jobs to the Capital Region and to making Rivers Casino and Resort a successful economic engine for the State of New York."
A December 2014 report from Moody's Investors Service noted that the three gambling facilities would be a credit positive for the affected municipalities due to new jobs, casino host fees, sales tax growth and property tax expansion.
The New York State Gaming Commission estimates county host fees to be $14.7 million for Sullivan, $13.1 million for Schenectady and $6.9 million for Seneca. Moody's also cautioned that new revenues may be offset by funds required for infrastructure improvements, boosts to public safety and increased regional gambling competition in the northeast.
