A Riverboat Casino in Utica? Utica’s Mayor Thinks So
March 12, 2013 5:02 AM 
The New York State legislature may authorize up to seven new casino’s in the state and Governor Cuomo is firm on insisting that the first three be upstate. But where upstate? Utica? What are the “odds”?
Utica’s mayor, Robert Palmieri told YNN that he thinks the Harbor Point area would be a great spot for a riverboat casino.
“If in the event we have a casino here, and we have the casino on the boat, which has the ability to go to Syracuse or Albany, or shared with other cities, they can’t bring that into other municipalities, we can,” said Palmieri.
via The realities of new Utica casino proposal – News 10 Now.
Not so fast say other casino/racino operators.
“The reality is that it’s highly unlikely that the state would want to put a casino so close to Turning Stone and to a lesser extent Vernon Downs. A casino in Utica would put Vernon Downs out of business,” said Jeff Gural, Chairman of American Racing.
via The realities of new Utica casino proposal – News 10 Now.
Obviously it is a complicated and contentious issue that the governor will have to contend with but as a potential source of revenue it is something that most municipalities will consider. The question is will it add to revenues in New York State or just split those revenues between the various gaming locales.
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