Assembly Gaming Chairman Joins CNY Legislators To Oppose Lago

The State Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee Chairman is calling on the State Gaming Commission to reject the Lago Resort and Casino's application for a gaming license.

Assemblyman Gary Pretlow is joining central New York legislators, including Senator Joseph Griffo and Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, in their opposition to Lago.

“I voted for the casino referendum and the enabling legislation because it promised new jobs for Upstate without shifting jobs from one community to another,”  Brindisi said. “But Lago’s own business plan calls for getting a majority of its revenue from several existing facilities, and that means job cuts in those communities. That’s not how we create new jobs Upstate. That’s is definitely not what I supported.”

The lawmakers says the Lago Casino would draw a majority of its revenue from existing facilities across upstate New York.

Studies have shown that development of Lago would result in a loss to the state of about  $105 million in gaming revenue and the loss of more than 1,200 jobs.