Cuomo Signs Upstate Gaming Act

Governor Cuomo has signed the Upstate New York Gaming Economic Development Act, a new law that if approved will establish destination gaming resorts across the region. "This new law will bring the state one step closer to establishing world-class destination gaming resorts that will attract tourists to Upstate New York and support thousands of good paying jobs as well as new revenue for local businesses," Cuomo said.

The new law authorizes four gaming resorts to enhance tourism and economic development. The three regions authorized to build resort casinos are the Hudson Valley/Catskill, Capitol District/Saratoga and the Central/Southern Tier areas.

The governor's office says that 80% of the State's tax revenues will be used statewide to fund education or property tax relief.

There will be no new resorts where tribal exclusivity agreements are in place such as the Oneida area and the minimum gambling age will be 21 years old. There will also be no smoking allowed in the four new resorts.