Operator News
US – Genting adds Tuxedo proposal to 21 NY casino bids
By Phil - 28 April 2014
Genting Americas has officially joined the race for four gaming licenses in three upstate areas of New York state with plans unveiled for a development at Renaissance Faire and Tuxedo Ridge Ski Center site, a 238-acre property in Orange County.
In total, 22 companies have now submitted blue prints of upstate casinos, each of which have now paid a $1m application fee in the first step of what is expected to be an hard fought tender.
Genting, who already operates Resorts World New York City in Queens has sent more than $1.1bn in revenue to New York State in less than two and a half years since opening, making it the largest taxpayer in New York State. It now wants to replicate its Resorts World brand in the mountain region.
Senior Vice President of Genting Americas, Christian Goode, said: “Destination resorts are our specialty, and we are excited to work with local municipalities and the State of New York to acquire a site where we can build a facility that will help further bolster the Empire State’s thriving tourism economy. It’s about building a property that complements, not cannibalises.”
The facility would look completely different than the racetrack VLT operation in Queens with the grand old mansions in the walled Village of Tuxedo Park providing the architectural inspiration. Mr. Goode said the company did not yet have a final costing for the project but said it would be between the $400m to $750m range being proposed by other casino hopefuls looking to develop in Orange County. The site, which is surrounded by parkland would be served by a tram system to transport visitors up to the top of Tiger Mountain, where they’ll be able to view the Manhattan skyline in the distance. Located 40 miles from Manhattan, it is the closest location to New York City.
The list of operators and developers named by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board is impressive and includes Caesars Entertainment, Monticello, Grossinger Development, Muss Development and the Mashantucket Pequots and Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said: “The cynics said, ‘You’re not going to get the applications, people are not going to apply, the time is done, gaming is over the curve. I think you’ve actually had more interest and it’s gone better than people suspected it might early on.”
Proposals have also been submitted for developments in Tyre, Amsterdam, Albany, Howes Cave, East Greenbush, Johnson City, Nichols, Kerhonkson, Liberty, Ellenville and Kiamesha Lake. New York already boasts five upstate Indian casinos and nine racetracks. The four new developments will be allowed in three regions: the Catskills, the Hudson Valley and central New York.
