Voters green-lighted an amendment to the state’s constitution that will allow for an expansion of casino gambling in New York. File Photo
Full gaming? Yes, please.
Voters threw their support behind a Constitutional amendment that paves the way for seven Las Vegas-style casinos to open in New York – though the expanded gambling will not be making its way to New York City any time soon, disappointing a number of area legislators and those at Resorts World Casino New York City in South Ozone Park.
The amendment, passed by 1,472,576 people – 57 percent of those who went to the polls on Tuesday, will allow casinos to offer full gambling, as opposed to the electronic games currently permitted at places like Resorts World. About 43 percent of voters opposed the amendment – or 1,110,282 people.
Gov. Cuomo had pushed the amendment, saying it will give a much-needed economic boost to New York – and particularly to the upstate region.
According to current plans, the first four casinos are expected to be built upstate at sites tapped by developers. Full gambling will, eventually, arrive in the city – though likely not for seven years.
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway Park), state Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) and representatives from the Queens Chamber of Commerce, the Queens Economic Development Corporations and other area small businesses have railed against the governor’s reluctance to immediately bring full-fledged table games to Queens.
“Post-Sandy, we need to find new and creative ways to help our small businesses to create good-paying jobs that will rejuvenate our local economy,” Goldfeder said at a press conference held outside Queens Borough Hall earlier this year. “Creating a full-scale, enhanced gaming casino at Resorts World would not only increase revenues for the community and the state, but the impact would be felt immediately in terms of economic activity and job creation for Southern Queens and Rockaway families.”
By Anna Gustafson
