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01/13/2011 08:09 PM

Racinos oppose Sullivan County casino

By: Christian Farrell

They're a part of the gambling industry, but the operators of New York's racinos say that doesn't mean they're in favor of all gambling. As our Christian Farrell reports especially casino gambling in Sullivan County.

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MONTICELLO, N.Y. -- Former governor David Paterson favored it. It being bringing casino gambling to Sullivan County. The question now is what does new governor Andrew Cuomo think about the idea? A group of New York racino operators would like the state's new boss to take their side.

"It is incomprehensible that the Paterson administration would have taken action that will create harm to that industry," said James Featherstonhaugh, Saratoga Racing and Gaming Secretary.

The racino group feels so strongly about their anti-casino position that they wrote a letter this week to the governor's office.

In their letter to the governor, racino operators indicated that a proposed casino in nearby Bridgeville would result in the near certain closure of the racino here in Monticello and potentially lead to the loss of 300 jobs.

Empire Resorts owns a half dozen state racinos. Executive Vice President Charles Degliomini says he worries the arrival of table games and slot machines on an Indian run casino could spell the end to what some might consider "less exciting" racino gambling options.

"The immediate collateral damage would be Monticello Racino and Raceway. But there are other facilities located in Yonkers, Saratoga and a soon to be opened racino at Aqueduct who would be similarly impacted," Degliomini said.

Governor Cuomo, thus far, has been silent on the Catskill Casino issue. But Town of Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini has not. Cellini has long been a casino and racino supporter, but he says it's a casino that Sullivan County really needs.

"The governor understands though that 4,000 jobs mean an awful lot to this dying economy in Sullivan County and our region," Cellini said.

There is no word from Washington yet as to whether the federal government also approves of the state's recent pact with the Wisconsin based Stockbridge-Munsee tribe to bring a casino to Sullivan County.


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