Tioga Downs Waits for One More Approval

Tioga Downs is one step away from being able to hang its New York State Casino License on the wall of its Nichols resort.

The New York State Gaming Commission on January 26 formally adopted the recommendation made in the fall that Tioga Downs be licensed to operate a full-service casino/resort in the Southern Tier.

The development now needs a final decision by state regulators.

Three other casino resort developments were recommended for licenses and got those licenses late last year.  They are in the Finger Lakes Region, Schenectady and the Catskills.

Tioga Downs won its recommendation after bidding was reopened for a fourth license after vocal protests when Lago resort in the Finger Lakes was given the license for a Southern Tier casino.

The new bidding last year was said to be for a casino in “The Real Southern Tier.”

Tioga Downs already operates a state-licensed video gaming and harness horse racing track at its facility in the Town of Nichols.