Southern Tier Legislators Weigh in on Casino License Fray

As the New York State Gaming Commission prepares to start accepting proposals for newly approved casinos in the state, the Broome County Legislature may vote soon on a proposal that would support a casino license designated for the Southern Tier to go to one of two proposals in Broome County, not to a neighboring Tioga County harness track and video slot operation.

Tioga Downs, already established as a gaming location less than 30 miles away from Binghamton is also planning to submit a proposal to the state and has already broken ground on a new parking facility with plans for construction of an adjoining hotel.

Broome Legislator Colleen McCabe says a casino in Broome County would go a long way to stabilizing a tenuous local economy.

The Tioga County Legislature and Chemung County Legislature recently both unanimously passed resolutions supporting Tioga Downs being awarded the Southern Tier license.