Keeping New York Dollars in New York
For years, upstate New York has had to fight tooth and nail for its fair share. My colleagues and I have worked relentlessly to secure the resources our communities deserve.
It was with that in mind that I paved the way for the legislation that ultimately allowed Resorts World Hudson Valley to open its doors in December 2022. And since then, Orange County has proven what we’ve always known: when given the opportunity, we can drive our own success. This 90,000-square-foot entertainment destination has created hundreds of local jobs for our community, millions for public works, and sparked a renewed sense of excitement in a once-derelict, largely vacant mall.
We should be proud of what we’ve built, but we cannot afford to lose sight of the broader landscape. The progress we’ve made to reestablish the upstate gaming industry is at risk if New York mishandles the downstate casino licensing process. The state is on the cusp of awarding up to three licenses in the five boroughs – a long overdue process that should reach completion in 2025. As we move toward that finish line, the state must adhere to the spirit and purpose of our gaming laws: keeping New York dollars in New York.
Downstate casinos only work if we select bidders with a real, credible plan to honor the Upstate Revitalization Act – the very law that legalized commercial casinos 12 years ago. “Upstate” isn’t just in the name. The law’s purpose was clear: stop billions of dollars earned in New York from spilling across state borders into New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. And so far, it has worked. Resorts World Hudson Valley alone generated $86 million in gross gaming revenue last fiscal year. That may seem like a drop in the bucket to some, but to a place like Orange County – and to elected officials like me who represent it – it means money previously spent in other states is staying right here.
Yes, I worked closely with Resorts World to bring their Hudson Valley location to life – but I have also held them accountable every step of the way. That’s why Orange County now has hundreds of new jobs and a new recreation center at Chadwick Lake Park, funded in part through a robust host community benefit agreement.
I’ve also sat with Resorts World leaders to understand how their proposed $7.5 billion investment in New York City translates to tangible opportunities for upstate workers, businesses and communities. They have put forward a clear, inclusive blueprint: an economic and entertainment corridor stretching from South Ozone Park to Orange and Sullivan counties, supporting more than 100,000 new jobs on top of the thousands they already provide. Their plan includes $70 million annually in complimentary incentives to drive New York City players to the Catskills, strengthening an upstate economy that deserves continued investment.
This is the kind of forward-thinking approach New York needs as it finalizes downstate licensing.
Their proposal for one of these downstate licenses answers the very things I fought for when we opened a gaming facility in Orange County, turning around a blighted property into a destination. We should take this as proof of what we stand to gain – if we act now, and if we do it the right way.
James Skoufis is a state senator representing the 42nd Senate District in the Hudson Valley.
