It has been reported that the operators of six racinos in New York State today told state officials that the creation of an Indian-run casino in the Catskills could 'kill' local racinos and the state's racing industry
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An article by Paul Post in The Saratogian explains that a joint letter issued by the racino operators says, "The Indian casino would result in the near-certain closure of the Monticello racino, 10 minutes from the proposed site, and take away higher-end and weekend customers from Yonkers, Resorts World New York (Aqueduct) and Saratoga racinos."
The letter goes on to say, "By our calculation, this will lessen the state tax revenues by hundreds of millions of dollars. Coming on top of the closure of New York City OTB, the opening of the Sullivan County casino may well spell the end of the New York horse racing industry."
The report explains that six of the state’s nine racino operators approved the letter, and that the letter signals the possible creation of a formal association which would give the racino operators one voice and more clout on gaming-related issues.
In November, 2010 plans were announced for a full-scale casino -- to be operated by the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe of Wisconsin -- near Monticello Raceway.
(With files from The Saratogian)
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