The Times Union just broke news that the Saratoga Casino and Raceway has dropped plans for a full-blown casino in Saratoga. Apparently they are considering an East Greenbush location instead. More on that here
Charlie Samuels, a local photographer and member of Saratoga 58% (an activist group against expanded gaming in Saratoga), wrote this in an email to us:
“In light of this breaking news, I can assure you that the majority of Saratoga Springs residents are very relieved that a casino will almost surely not be sited here. I am very encouraged by today’s news but the SS Racino is not the only company in the world who may want to build a casino here so we are not celebrating yet. For now, a “live table gaming” casino looks like it has been blocked but in the powerful business of gambling one can never be sure. By talking to residents, downtown business owners and strangers on the street, I feel that the majority of residents do not trust the relationship between government and gambling interests. This is not quite a done deal yet.”
This has been a hot topic for two years now, and there are strong opinions on both sides.
What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments below!
I would be very interested in hearing just what the negative affects of having a casino in Saratoga Springs are. I mean, the city saw record revenues last summer, even though the track’s attendance was down. Gee, I wonder if it could possibly have had anything to do with people from all over the state coming to town to gamble at the Racino. You don’t think those folks venture downtown for dinner and drinks afterwards? Don’t be naive…..and don’t speak for the other “42 percent” of us. I,for one, have seen absolutely no negative affects of the Racino on our beautiful city. I wonder what you will be saying a few years down the road, when a hugely successful casino is operating in another county, bringing in revenue to the area around it, while Saratoga Springs is once again in a quiet slumber, with a dead downtown 11 months a year.