November 5th will mark an important day for all of New York State, as voting will take place for Proposition #1, an amendment to the state’s constitution. The proposition will ask for the constitution to be changed, to allow four new, full, non-Indian casinos in upstate New York, with one specifically designated for the Southern Tier. Tioga Downs of Nichols is viewed as the Southern Tier’s front runner to be granted the casino license if the proposition were to be passed. At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, the Chair of the Tioga County Legislature, Dale Weston, gave the legislature’s official stamp of approval for Proposition #1.
Leanne Tinney, Director of Economic Development and Planning for Tioga County, says that the prospect of casino expansion at Tioga Downs would lead to an anticipated 175 new jobs, and over 300 construction jobs.
If the proposition is passed on Tuesday, Tioga Downs, along with any other entities seeking to acquire the casino license for the Southern Tier, will have to submit a bid to the state. Vista Hospitality Group, a company that runs several hotels in the area, is the other notable group looking to acquire the bid, as they have plans to build a casino in downtown Binghamton.
