VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINALS BEGIN ARRIVING AT RESORTS WORLD CASINO NEW YORK CITY; GAMING FLOOR NEARS COMPLETION

The first of 4,525 Video Lottery Terminals were delivered to Resorts world Casino New York City this week, marking an exciting new phase of the casino’s development, casino executives announced.

The VLTs will be installed and individually tested on the gaming floor — the core of the casino action – during the next weeks. When phase one of Resorts World Casino New York City opens in October, it will boast 2,280 VLTs, entertainment and delectable dining. The second phase will open by the end of the year and will feature 2,245 additional VLTs as well as more dining options and unparalleled event space.

“This is an exciting development; we are on the path towards creating a world-class entertainment destination,” said Michael Speller, president of Resorts World Casino New York City. “The video lottery terminals, which are a cornerstone of our casino, have been in our mind’s eye for nearly a year, and we are happy that the public will soon share our vision. We are in the final stage and are thrilled that Resorts World Casino New York City will welcome its guests to an optimum experience.”

More information on Resorts World New York is available at www.rwnewyork.com.

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You might soon be able to play Blackjack at Aqueduct

If all goes well, the planned racino at Aqueduct might sooner or later become a casino.

For now, when it opens on Oct. 1, the Resorts World New York casino have only video lottery terminals (VLTs) for its patrons to play.

But Genting, the casino’s owner, wants to incorporate a Las Vegas-style casino with table games for the establishment’s gamblers. Genting has begun lobbying state officials to permit table games at its soon-to-be-opened Aqueduct casino facility. According to media reports, Genting is spending $1 million a year with lobbyists in Albany in this effort.

“We have table games in the surrounding three states (New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania),” Michael Speller, president of Resorts World New York, said during a State Senate Racing Committee hearing on February 7 of this year.

The committee is considering a proposal for a constitutional amendment to permit table games. Currently, state legislation only authorizes the Aqueduct casino to have VLTs, so a constitutional amendment would be required for the casino to have table games

Senator Addabbo and Assemblyman Mike Miller welcome the prospect of table games.

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NYRA to be audited for a third time

Maybe the third time will be a charm…

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will be the subject of yet another audit by the state comptroller’s office. This will be the third audit of the agency since 2008.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said he wants to take another look at NYRA’s books to determine whether it has appropriately followed his recommendations from two earlier audits that called for significant cost reductions, including salaries and consultant fees.

NYRA, according to its 2011 budget, expects to see an $11 million deficit this year after a $17 million operating deficit last year. NYRA has not posted a profit since 2000.

The agency is counting heavily on new gaming revenues from the Aqueduct casino to become profitable again. It is expected to receive at least $25 million annually for operating costs and capital improvement projects from thousand of video lottery terminals that will be installed.

The state Inspector General is also reviewing NYRA’s books.

Read more here.

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