Column: Casino criteria could leave New York county in the cold

Folks in Sullivan consider casinos an entitlement, their God-given right as long-suffering Sullivan taxpayers, a bridesmaid to Indian tribes across New York and a half-dozen neighboring states who have what has remained an unfulfilled decadeslong quest.

Good or bad, profitable or not, an economic engine or fool's gold, Sullivan County wants one. Or two. And they'll be damned if this dream is suddenly dashed just because some casino operators think they have a better shot at hitting it big in Orange County.

But Sullivan is not entitled.

And let me tell you, folks, ripping into Orange County officials and blaming longtime supportive Sullivan lawmakers for somehow not being supportive enough isn't going to get you any closer to that gold ring.

Especially since it appears that the criteria for the dozen Hudson Valley/Catskill applicants to get a casino will be based as much on the location that can make the most money for New York and less on the economic needs of a community and a county.