Cuomo Reiterates Support For Upstate Casinos

Governor Andrew Cuomo reiterated his support for allowing three non-Indian casinos in upstate New York, but said this week he would be open to pushing back the date for a public vote on the proposal until 2014. Cuomo has pushed for the legalization of three Las Vegas-style casinos upstate as a way to bring residents from out-of-state, as well as New York City, to the areas north of the city’s suburbs. The move isn’t as simple as it sounds, as it would require a constitutional amendment and a public referendum. The issue lawmakers see, is that a bulk of the state’s votes on the proposal will come from New York City, and the city residents will have no vested interest in the matter, as the proposal has no plans for casinos opening in the city. Tioga Downs is one of the upstate casinos which could potentially benefit if the proposal were to be approved.