The Powers Behind The New York Land-Based Gaming Industry
New York, like many other states in the region, has not been shy about consider and implementing expansions of gambling.
The latest example came when the state granted three new licenses for land-based casinos. The state is also making what appears to be a real effort to legalize and regulate online poker.
Given that the gambling industry appears to be constantly shifting — and with the biggest companies likely looking to cash in on legal online poker — here’s a look at some of the most powerful entities in the NY gaming industry:
New York State Gaming Commission / New York Lottery
All wagering in the state comes under the purview of the NYSGC, including horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering, Class III Indian Gaming, and the state lottery.
The New York Lottery is a part of the NYSGC, and it oversees the video lottery industry in the state, which represents a sizable amount of income for the state.
Seneca Nation
The Seneca Nation, dominates the land-based casino industry in western New York, including three full resort-style casinos:
- Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in Buffalo
- Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca
- Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls
In a regulated online poker market, the Seneca tribe would likely be an important part — if it chooses to get involved — given its large footprint in the state and the fact that it runs some large poker rooms.
New York Gaming Association
The NYGA is the lobbying group for the racino industry in the state (a full list of the groups it represents can be seen here).
The NYGA doesn’t represent all gaming interests in the state, but enough of them that it has a say when it comes to shaping gaming policy in the state.
Genting Group
Genting owns Resorts World Casino New York, a part of the Aqueduct Racetrack complex, the only casino in New York City. Genting is a huge conglomerate, but is highly invested in the gaming and resort industries.
Genting also wields majority control over another major player in New York land-based gaming, Empire Resorts, through one of its investment arms. Empire owns Monticello Casino and Raceway, and is also building a $1.3 billion casino resort called Montreign.
The sum total equates to Genting having a substantial piece of the gaming pie in New York now, and moving forward.
Oneida Nation
The Oneida operate just one major casino — Turning Stone Casino and Resort in Verona. Despite that, it’s am important one, as it’s the oldest casino in New York (it opened in 1993), the host of a PGA Tour event and by most accounts is the most popular tourist destination in Central New York.
Rush Street Gaming
Rush Street doesn’t have a New York property yet, but it’s working on one with its new license for Rivers Casino Schenectady.
The company already operates a pair of casinos in Pennsylvania — Sugarhouse in Philadelphia and Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, as well as casino near Chicago.
del Lago
There is one other new full casino coming to New York — del Lago Resort & Casino in Seneca County.
Peninsula Pacific, which is a part of the Boyd Gaming portfolio, is behind the new casino. Another of the companies involved. Wilmorite, operates casinos in Oklahoma and California, already.
New York Racing Association
The NYRA has been a bit of a mess in recent years, but it’s still a big part of gaming in the state. The NYRA operates the tracks at Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct. The Belmont Stakes — part of horse racing’s Triple Crown — and another big thoroughbred race, The Travers (Saratoga) are raced on NYRA tracks.
MGM Resorts
MGM does not have a brick-and-mortar establishment in the state. However, it’s attempted to exert its influence in the online poker discussion in New York in the past.