New York Casinos Look to Practice a Modest Approach with Their Gaming Operations

Unlike other massive gaming facilities that are spread across the US, casinos in the state of New York want to appeal to the local markets with the right scale.

Casinos are normally known to boasts massive gaming floors with a multitude of tables, slots and other gambling pursuits. Their idea is to offer plenty of opportunities for players to make wagers so that they don’t have to wait. However, the casinos that are slated for development in New York rather want to focus on smaller operations.

Currently US gambling laws indicate that four licenses are up for grabs, which has propelled casino firms to adopt a fresh outlook on their potential success. These lucky few casinos want the local customers to feel more at home and so much like in a massive gaming building.

Gaming proximity plays massive importance for gamblers

• Proximity to casinos is important for modern gamblers

• Smaller communities in New York looking to benefit from the casinos

• Racino revenues continue to show lackluster performance

The chief executive of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Mitchell Grossinger Etess, commented on the current market conditions as they prepare a $500 million casino in Sullivan County.

“You might figure: Build a bigger casino, you might have a better chance of winning. But you have to look at the market size. You need the right-sized building that can operate efficiently. There will never be another Mohegan Sun. That's the way the market has shifted.”

Nowadays gamblers like to spend their time in small scale casinos that have a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, instead of playing at massive casinos that can squeeze in thousands of people. Players want the casinos to be close to their homes so they can simply drive up to them in short time.

According to gambling news, many Americans already live relatively close to their preferred gambling centers making the trip only a several hour drive. Cities like Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Detroit and Kansas City all boast casinos making restricted gaming accessibility a thing of the past.

The economy will receive a massive boost

One of the main reason why New York received a vote of confidence for its gaming aspirations is due to the belief that it would attract tourists and money further upstate. However, now the casino developers believe that they will have to slightly adjust their plans to appeal to the local gamblers.

Bill Walsh, in charge of the planned $212 million Traditions Casino and Resort project, highlighted the shift in gaming preferences and how it has impacted the overall industry. “Times have changed. People are looking for convenience. They don't want to drive five hours to get to a casino now. You need a primary market.”

The reason why so many voters agreed to support the casinos initiative was due to the promise of immense job creation and an increase in economic activity for the smaller communities. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has expressed confidence in casino developers stating they are the ones investing the big bucks in the economy.

“The private market ... will make a determination as to what scale and scope the market can support. And they will then build the buildings and employ people and run the business because they think it's a good business to run. I'm sure they will propose what they believe will be successful.”

Some reservations about casinos success exist

Gary Greenberg owns a minority stake at the Vernon Downs racino and hotel close to Syracuse, and has indicated his skepticism about the addition of new casinos. Considering that racino revenues are still at a low, he isn’t convinced that the state government will be able to support the planned gaming centers.

“They'll be new the first year and people will go, but what about the next year? I don't see the casinos doing as well as they're saying. There's a saturation right now.”

Vice president of Caesars Entertainment, Jan Jones Blackhurst, is assured that they will succeed with time. They also don’t plan on scaling back on their proposed $880 million casino resort in Orange County, New York, which will boast some of the best US poker rooms. He stated the company has “tremendous faith in the market.”

Blackhurst has identified that their proximity to New York City, which stands at a mere 50 miles, will greatly work in their favor. Additionally, the neighboring Woodbury Common Premium Outlets attracts around 13 million visitors every year, a fact that they intend to take advantage of.