Saratoga.com logo
Saratoga.com logo
  • Places to Stay
  • Things To Do
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Businesses
  • Travel Guides
Saratoga Business Journal
  • Home
  • New Businesses
  • Business News
  • Business Reports
  • Business Briefs
  • Business Registrations
  • Personnel Briefs
  • Contact Us
Home  »  Business News  »  Businesses Voice Concerns About Casinos, Say Partnership Is Key To Future Success
Business News

Businesses Voice Concerns About Casinos, Say Partnership Is Key To Future Success

Posted onJanuary 9, 2014
thumbnail image for casino-meeting-wm.jpg
Local business people, staff of Saratoga Casino & Raceway and tourism representatives await the start of a fact-finding meeting on a proposed new casino in Saratoga Springs.

By R.J. DeLuke

Officials from Saratoga Casino and Raceway, the only known applicant for the siting of a casino in Saratoga County, stated outright that “a Las Vegas-style casino has no place in our community” and that keeping up the across-the-board strength of tourism in Saratoga Springs and the county is paramount to everyone’s success.

That sentiment was expressed by Rita Cox, senior vice president of marketing, and Skip Carlson, vice president of external affairs and signature service, at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

They spoke at a fact-finding meeting on the subject at City Center, sponsored by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau.

As stated by moderator Matt Jones, a Saratoga Springs attorney, the session was not a debate, but a means to get knowledge about the site selection process and how it could impact the local community.

Several members of the business community who could potentially see adverse impact from competing with a casino – restaurants, hotels, downtown shops, performance venues, horse racing interests among them – had the chance to voice their concerns and ask questions of the Casino & Raceway officials.

Estimates put the crowd attendance at over 1,000 people. The audience was dotted with groups of people attired in red shirts that sported “casino” across the back, emblematic of the SAVE Saratoga opposition group (Saratogians Against Vegas-Style Expansion). The most oft-repeated phrase of the session was “partnership,” with people from the business community expressing the sentiment that they hoped a casino and its expected large revenue stream would work to spread tourism business into the city and county, and not keep it self-contained.

Marcia White, executive director of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, noted that SPAC and other arts and performance venues are already working with the governor’s office, through the group Upstate Theater Coalition for a Fair Game. Casinos in other places have larger venues, and can offer low ticket prices because of their vast resources. Also, some have exclusivity clauses with the talent.

She said the coalition is looking into having the casino enter into agreements with the venues that would do things like limit the number of seats in a casino performance center and deal with ticket pricing.

“We’re not anti-gambling. We are not anti-casino,” she said. “We just want a level playing field… We value anyone who brings economic vitality to the area.”

Restaurateurs like John Baker of Gaffneys and Colleen O’Bryan Holmes of Wheatfields Restaurant said there is a feeling of uncertainty because casinos can run throughout the night, offer free drinks and serve discounted, even free, meals.

Baker said there is already a push to close Saratoga Springs bars earlier than 4 a.m. An all night casino would have “a tremendous negative impact on our business.” Baker asked that if bars had to close at 1 a.m., would the casino. Cox said “yes”, to audience applause.

Holmes said the downtown community works together, supports one anther, and is asking the same of the casino.

Cox repeated at several junctures that, while the state still has not released all the specifics of what it will require the casino to contain, the strength of Saratoga’s downtown is vital to the success of a casino. She said the Casino & Raceway is willing to discuss concerns and develop partnerships so that Saratoga remains a vital community.

“Our success is directly tied to the success of Saratoga,” said Cox.

Carlson called Saratoga a “world class destination. We promote that. We always have. We always will.”

He noted that in the 10 years of Saratoga Casino & Raceway, employment has gone from 125 jobs to 630. An expanded casino on that 160-acre campus will add 600-700 “good-paying jobs, with benefits.”

“Our employees are part of this community,” said Carlson, that work, dine, shop and live in the area. “An Expanded casino is the best outcome for this community.”

“There’s a lot of competition for discretionary dollars in the northeast,” said Cox. It’s in the best interest of the casino to have a vital Saratoga Springs “because that’s what brings people back.”

Carlson added, “Going forward, we’re going to be great community partner. “Saratoga is a gem … We would never do anything that take away things that make Saratoga so great.”

Cindy Hollowood, general manager of the Holiday Inn Saratoga Spring, said business people in her industry held a meeting to develop concerns, like the size of the new hotel that will be attached to a casino. And the size of its multi-purpose hall that could compete with Saratoga City Center.

Conventions at the center, which has experienced solid success, are important to all downtown businesses.

Still, said Brian Straughter, vice president of Turf Hotels, including the Hampton Inn in Saratoga Springs, “we’d probably rather have [a casino] here rather than having to compete against it” if it ends up in a place like Albany or Rensselaer County.

The Raceway & Casino officials said in places like Atlantic City and Las Vegas, rooms are discounted because there are many casinos concentrated in a small area and competition among them is fierce. Not so in Saratoga, where the rooms will be riced in line with he community.

Mark Baker, president of the Saratoga Springs City Center Authority, was concerned with the size of the multi-purpose event center to be built at the casino.

“I do not feel its needed to support gaming tables and would put much of what we have at risk,” he said. He also said he’s concerned about what will happen if the casino lands in a place like Albany, which is already about to build a large convention center that could compete for events with Saratoga.

Michael (Mickey) McGivern, a member of the executive committee of the Saratoga Harness Horseman’s Association, said his industry “was on the verge of extinction 10 years ago,” but has made big strides in recent years. Business would see a significant dropoff if a casino is awarded to another area. People in the harness industry, he said, live, shop and spend dollars in Saratoga County, and the economic impact is “under recognized.”

Joe McMahon, managing partners of McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, LLC, in Saratoga Springs, urged partnerships with the casino group. Thoroughbred owners are worried about how gambling during the track season will impact business, but is willing to partner with the casino for the best interest of both.

Previous Article Saratoga County Projects Get Assistance From NYS Economic Development Grants
Next Article Personnel Briefs
Subscribe to Our Newsletter View the Latest Virtual Edition

Categories

  • 50-Plus
  • Banking
  • Banking / Asset Managment
  • Building Trades
  • Business Briefs
  • Business News
  • Business Registrations
  • Business Reports
  • Commercial / Residential Real Estate
  • Community Services
  • Construction
  • Construction Planning
  • Corporate Tax / Business Planning
  • Cyber / Tech
  • Dining Guide
  • Economic Development
  • Economic Outlook 2016
  • Economic Outlook 2017
  • Economic Outlook 2018
  • Economic Outlook 2019
  • Economic Outlook 2020
  • Economic Outlook 2022
  • Economic Outlook 2023
  • Economic Outlook 2024
  • Economic Outlook 2025
  • Education/ Training/ Personal Development
  • Entrepreneurial Women
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environment / Development
  • Financial Planning / Investments
  • Fitness / Nutrition
  • Health / Community Services
  • Health & Fitness
  • Health & Wellness
  • Healthcare
  • Holiday Guide
  • Holiday Shopping
  • Home / Energy
  • Home / Insurance
  • Home & Real Esate
  • Insurance / Employee Benefits
  • Insurance / Medical Services
  • Legal / Accounting
  • Meet The Chef
  • New Businesses
  • Non-Profit
  • Office / Computer / New Media
  • Office / HR / Employment
  • Office/ Technology/ E-Commerce
  • Outlook 2021
  • Personnel Briefs
  • Retirement Planning
  • Senior Living / Retirement
  • Summer Construction
  • Uncategorized
  • Wellness
  • Women In Business
  • Workplace / Security / Legal
  • Year-End Tax Planning

Archives

  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
Connect With Us

Follow, like and subscribe to Saratoga.com on social media

Account Sign In Submit An Event
Saratoga.com logo
  • Home
  • Places To Stay
  • Things To Do
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Real Estate
  • Businesses
  • Guides
  • Contact Us
  • Blogs
  • Sweepstakes
  • Advertising
Visit Saratoga.com For Everything Saratoga
Full-Service Internet Marketing: Search Engine Optimization, Website Design and Development by Mannix Marketing, Inc.
Mannix Marketing, Inc. is headquartered near Saratoga Springs in Glens Falls, New York
Saratoga.com All Rights Reserved © 2025
Disclaimer & Privacy Policy / Terms of Use / Copyright Policies
[uc-privacysettings]

We strive to insure accuracy on Saratoga.com however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Information is subject to change.
Please alert us if there is any inaccurate information here.

Having trouble using this site? Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements.