Batavia Downs Vies For Spot among 7 Non Native American Full Casino Gaming Sites
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 15 March 2012 19:36
- Written by Becky McKeown
BATAVIA — The decision New York state lawmakers made Wednesday to legalize public casinos and allow full casino gaming at seven non Native American run casinos in the state, could mean great news for Batavia Downs Casino.
Currently, Batavia Downs is the only municipally owned casino in New York State owned by the 15 western New York counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo.
According to Michael Nolan, the casino’s vice president of administration, the Western Region Off-Track Betting/Batavia Downs Casino has returned over $200 million to local municipal owners since its inception. Nolan said that by operating as a full casino gaming site, Batavia Downs can bring more jobs to western New York and help keep local property tax rates lower.
“We will work with our western New York delegation and the governor to make sure Batavia Downs is one of the approved full gaming venues in the state,” said Nolan. “It is imperative that western New York not be left behind on a great potential for new jobs and revenues returned to local governments.”
The locations of the seven casinos are scheduled to be decided in 2013.
