Mayor Feels “Very Good” About Possible Binghamton Casino

Binghamton Mayor Richard David says he still doesn't know whether there will be a formal bid for a casino in the city. But, in an interview, he said he feels "very good" about the possibility an application will be submitted.

The deadline for applications for a Southern Tier casino license is just over two weeks away.

David said he had expected there would have been "significant movement" on the possible bid by now. But, he said, "obviously the announcement has not come yet. I do expect it to come soon."

The mayor said: "With a complex deal of that magnitude, there's always one or two things that you're kind of waiting on to fall in place."

David said he was aware of no snags or specific issues that would prevent the prospective applicant from moving forward with a casino bid.

The mayor said there are "multiple people" who are willing to partner on a specific aspect of a possible project.

During his comments on Binghamton Now on WNBF Radio, David neither confirmed nor denied he's met with Jeffrey Hyman, an Albany-area man who has been identified as being interested in the possibility of a city casino.

The mayor said it was premature "talk about the individuals" with whom he's discussed the casino application.

David said he still believes a bid for a casino in Binghamton is "very likely." He added can't say "with 100 percent certainty it's a done deal but I feel very good about it." He said it's still possible he could a call saying the application won't be made but "I just don't think that's going to happen."

Tioga Downs owner Jeffrey Gural is preparing a revised application for a casino license for his property in the town of Nichols.