Yesterday Governor Cuomo signed the “Upstate New York Gaming Economic Develoment Act,” which would allow four private casinos in three Upstate New York regions. It was already approved by the Legislature last month and, since it requires an amendment to the state constitution, it will be on the November 5th ballot for voter approval. If voters don’t approve it, the state will be allowed to open more video lottery parlors on Long Island and in Upstate. (The words “video lottery” and “parlors” make those sound way more relaxing than they are.)

From the Democrat & Chronicle:
“The four casinos would have gaming exclusivity in the state for seven years, and no new casinos would be authorized in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, New York City or Long Island during the period.
Earlier this year, Cuomo reached deals with American Indian tribes for gaming exclusivity in central, northern and western New York, including in the Rochester area.”

Cuomo says the casinos would attract lots of tourists to Upstate New York, bring thousands of jobs and help support local businesses, but he has yet to say whether he will personally endorse the referendum. He acknowledges that it is a controversial issue. Polls show that New Yorkers are divided on whether or not expanded gambling is what the state needs.

I admit it, I am not a casino person. I grew up in the Southwest and saw what the casino culture did for those living in and around the reservations where they were allowed. But I didn’t want to nix the idea just because I won’t be hanging out in the casinos and because I get the heebie-jeebies every time we drive past that ghost town of a block where the casino on the American side of Niagara Falls is.
Adam has written a few posts on the idea of a casino in downtown Rochester and how it has Rochesterians divided. Pete revived the consversation earlier this year when he asked if the ideals George Eastman had for our city conflict with that of gambling in Rochester.

But it was something in a piece on WXXI yesterday that really fired me up. WXXI reported that EJ McMahon of the Empire Center (a conservative think tank) “says the building of resort style casinos won’t generate as many jobs as some other industries, like opening up the state’s vast shale resources to hydro fracking.”

“‘He’s [Cuomo] stalling the approval of regulations that would allow something that no question would boost the economies of the parts of upstate New York that are the weakest,’ McMahon said.”
REALLY?! These are our two options for the economic recovery of our state? We can either open the state to fracking, which may poison our beloved sources of fresh water OR open it to gambling, which is such a healthy and community-building enterprise?!

How about taking thinking outside the box and taking a queue from our fantastic art community? The Huffington Post seems to have more faith in Upstate than many naysayers do. What about our local food enterprises? What about Eastman Business Park?

We can do better than gambling, people.

WXXI:
Cuomo Says Voters Will Decide Whether Gambling Expands in New York
Democrat and Chronicle:
Cuomo signs casino act, sends it to voters in November
Casino Gambling in Rochester Midtown Plaza