The New York Gaming Facility Location Board on Monday announced requirements for investments in commercial casino projects across the state.
The minimum investment for a casino in the Catskills region is $350 million. The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut said that was far too low, considering how close the region is to New York City.
"The premium spot, and they are only asking $350 million? It doesn’t speak to creating economic development," Mitchell Grossinger Etess, the chief executive of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, told The New York Times.
The Mohegans and other developers already paid a $1 million non-refundable application fee to compete for a license. Most have said they plan to invest far higher than $350 million in the Catskills.
"All of the casinos there need to be at least $750 million to $1 billion dollars," developer Louis Cappelli told The Middletown Times Herald-Record.
The Mohegan Tribe is planning a $600 million project while the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation says it will spend $400 million.
The Stockbridge-Munsee Band of
Mohican Indians from Wisconsin is proposing a $750 million development.
Get the Story:
New York casino investments to range from $70M-$350M
(The Elmira Star-Gazette 5/13)
Minimum Orange County casino investment draws ire
(The Middletown Times Herald-Record 5/13)
$350 Million Investment Needed to Open Casino Closest to New York City, Panel Says
(The New York Times 5/13)
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