“So they could end up, perhaps, with seven casinos downstate and none upstate,” Krueger said. Krueger said that at the time, there were questions from industry leaders and legislators as to whether a casino could give up its upstate license and trade it for a downstate one. “But they bought into this deal that they would open for upstate, wait a few years, and then, go for the gold with the three downstate.” “The industry wanted them in New York City because they knew where the money was going to be made, and where the population flow was going to be,” said Senator Liz Krueger. This January, applications opened for up to three casinos downstate. The licenses were split into two rounds, with the four upstate casinos getting a seven-year head start.

When New York legalized casinos in 2013, it was determined to spread the facilities across the state. All told, there are at least 12 proposals, by City & State’s count, for new casinos in New York City. The top three floors of Saks Fifth Avenue may host another. Jay-Z wants to open a casino in Times Square. “I think they really need to take a serious look at how they market this casino here for people to continue to be drawn in 80 miles out of New York City for something other than gaming.” “I think we’re gonna feel a little punch,” said Bill Rieber, supervisor of Thompson, the 16,700-person town where Resorts World is located. Resorts World Catskills did not respond to a detailed list of questions.

Sullivan County treasurer Nancy Buck said it’s a “huge concern” for the county.

New York Focus spoke with four employees at Resorts World Catskills, all of whom said there has been talk among staff about how the New York City casinos could impact their jobs. The busloads will dwindle, and the benefits the community was promised, they fear, will go with them. Now, as New York prepares to license up to three more casinos in the New York City area, locals worry that the already underperforming resort will lose customers. The casino has generated just half the tax revenue that had initially been projected, but it has attracted tourists and boosted the local economy. It opened in February 2018, and today it provides around 1,400 union jobs. Resorts World Catskills, one of the four casinos New York approved by constitutional amendment in 2013, was touted as an economic development effort that would create jobs and generate revenue for upstate communities through taxes and tourism.

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