Over 400 Speak in Three Days at Casino Public Comment Events in NYS

Board has received more than 3,000 written comments regarding various proposals

The New York Gaming Facility Location Board heard from 405 individuals during three day-long public comment events this week in regions eligible to host destination resort casinos. The comments will be factored in to the Board’s evaluation to determine which of 16 casino Applicants can apply for a commercial gaming license.  Up to four commercial gaming licenses are expected to be issued in New York State as per the Upstate New York Gaming and Economic Development Act. 

The three public events (Capital Region on September 22, Catskills/Hudson Valley on September 23 and Eastern Southern Tier on September 24) totaled 34 consecutive hours of public comment. The events were standing-room-only for the majority of each day and featured impassioned testimony from members of the public. In addition to the comments received during the events, the Board has also received more than 3,000 written comments regarding the proposals.

“This week the Board saw true democracy in action, hearing directly from hundreds of individuals who feel very strongly about the future of their communities,” said Gaming Facility Location Board Chairman Kevin Law. “My colleagues and I on the Board received a very thorough education from the passionate and respectful comments from various members of the public. We thank every individual who took time out of their busy schedules to attend these public events and help us make the best decisions for the local communities, the regions and all of New York State.”

The Board is also actively reviewing thousands of pages of Application materials as well as briefings and analyses prepared by Gaming Commission staff, applicable state agencies and the Board’s gaming advisory consultant. The Board will weigh findings on the following scale:

·         70 percent: Economic activity and business development factors

·         20 percent: Local impact and siting factors

·         10 percent: Workforce enhancement factors

Gaming Facility Location Board members receive no compensation other than expenses incurred in carrying out their duties.  More information about the Gaming Facility Location Board, the applicants and the process of siting casinos in New York can be found atwww.gaming.ny.gov/gaming/casinos.php.