Tioga Downs Casino to be First to Open

Gamers could be rolling the dice and spinning the wheel in Tioga County in just a matter of weeks.  The New York State Gaming Commission yesterday approved the regulations for the four new, full-service casinos in the state.

Tioga Downs, which has already been operating for years as a harness track and video gaming parlor, has been steadily upgrading facilities and owner, Jeff Gural says the full casino could be open later this month.

Tioga Downs was the last casino to be granted a license in the state, just getting final approval earlier this year.

Other projects are under construction in the Catskills, Finger Lakes and Schenectady.

The Gaming Commission still needs to publish the rules for dealing cards and running games like craps and roulette before the regulations take effect.