Catskills May Lose Economic Boost to Casinos Close to New York City

Areas of the Catskills, which for decades have been trying to open a casino, could find that they end up having to share with casinos closer to New York City. Five of New York’s 22 proposed casino projects are looking at Orange County and this is likely to reduce business at any rival casino built in the Catskills.

Final bids for the casino license are due by the end of June and the board in charge of choosing casino sites is sure to be comparing applicants in top locations with those that are offering help in needier areas such as the Catskills’ Sullivan County.

Charles Degliomini from Empire Resorts said, “When you look at the kind of bright, shining city Orange County is versus what Sullivan County is, clearly the need is in Sullivan County.”

Empire Resorts has proposed a $750 million resort about 90 miles northwest of New York City.

When voters approved the state’s gambling expansion amendment last November it was promoted as a way of bringing an economic boost to the three upstate regions that will get the first four casinos: Catskills/Hudson Valley, the Capital and Southern Tier/Finger Lakes. However, if the Orange County proposals are successful then the economic boost may end up elsewhere.