Vernon, NY - It’s a long shot, but Vernon Downs could become a full-blown casino at the end of a deal the state Senate put in motion Tuesday. The Senate passed a bill that could ask New Yorkers on the 2011 ballot whether they want to change the state constitution to allow casino gambling in some parts of the...
Customers play one cent and nickel slot machines at Vernon Downs racetrack in this 2008 file photo. A proposed constitutional amendment would allow Vernon Downs to become a full casino with table games. Vernon, NY - It’s a long shot, but Vernon Downs could become a full-blown casino at the end of a deal the state Senate put in motion Tuesday.
The Senate passed a bill that could ask New Yorkers on the 2011 ballot whether they want to change the state constitution to allow casino gambling in some parts of the state.
The bill would have to pass the Assembly, be signed by the governor, pass both houses a second time, then survive the 2011 general election. If the constitution is changed, citizens in each county would have to vote again to approve a casino in that county.
The legislation has limits:
* It only applies to counties with populations of less than 500,000 people.
* It only applies to areas that are not precluded by an agreement with Native Americans.
* The county must have a facility with pari-mutuel wagering and live horse racing.
The limits were written to accommodate five horse racing tracks: Vernon Downs, Monticello Raceway, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, Tioga Downs and the Concord Hotel, proposed for the Catskills.
The legislation, however, does not name those race tracks and it remains to be seen whether any other sites could get the appropriate licenses to qualify.
Jeff Gural, principal owner of Vernon Downs, applauded the bill. It could allow Vernon Downs to add table games and poker to its video lottery terminals. He said the casino and hotel could double its employees to 600. He called it a “jobs bill” and said voters should be allowed to decide whether they want gambling in their communities.
“It would give us another option when we compete with Turning Stone,” he said. “I think if you ask gamblers, sometimes they like to switch casinos just when they think their luck is bad. Having two casinos would be good for the area.”
New casinos would provide revenue for state and local governments and would pay for police and fire services and treatment of people addicted to gambling, the Senate bill said.
Gural is talking with developer Wilmorite, Inc. about building harness racing and video lottery terminals – or a “racino” — at the state fairgrounds in Geddes as revenue source for building a hotel next to the convention center in downtown Syracuse. Current laws would have to be changed to allow a racino, much less a casino. Gural said he has not considered the possibility yet.
“I would love to have it as an option,” he said. “But we’re a ways off from that.”
Christopher Higgins, chief counsel to the Senate majority, said it is unclear whether Onondaga County and other counties that don’t currently have live horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering, could obtain the necessary licensing and then seek approval to host a casino.
“It’s an interesting question. You do have a horse track there,” Higgins said, referring to the track at the state fairgrounds.
He said the intent of the sponsor, Sen. Eric Adams, D-NY, was to limit casinos to Oneida, Saratoga, Tioga and Sullivan counties.
Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida, whose district includes part of Oneida County, voted for the proposed constitutional amendment.
“My reason for supporting it is we’ve had casino gambling (at Turning Stone Resort & Casino) for close to 20 years. It’s been a part of the community for a long time. It seems to me as a result of that, the people of Oneida County, if they are supportive of additional gaming, they should so choose.”
He said he believed a casino at Vernon Downs would create jobs and spur economic development. New York has no compact with the Oneida Indian Nation, which runs Turning Stone, that would preclude Vernon Downs from becoming a full casino, he said.
In a brief statement, the Oneida Indian Nation, which operates Turning Stone Resort and Casino, expressed no concern about competition if Vernon Downs becomes a full casino.
“Turning Stone Resort is destination resort that competes with other destination resorts in the Northeast, Las Vegas and around the world. Whether this legislation becomes law or not is not our issue,” said Mark Emery, the Oneidas' director of media relations.
The gaming bill was referred to the Assembly, but that house had not yet taken it up at 6 p.m.
Aides for Gov. David Paterson said he would review the legislation when it reaches his desk.
Michelle Breidenbach can be reached at mbreidenbach@syracuse.com or (315) 470-3186.