NEW YORK – Construction
on the state’s first three Las Vega-style casinos appears not likely
until the end of the year. One of those is the Empire Resorts’ Montreign
facility in Kiamesha Lake, the only one selected in the Catskills/Hudson
Valley region.
State officials have consistently said the go ahead would be given by
the end of September, but at Thursday’s Gaming Commission session,
Executive Director Robert Williams indicated work would begin by the end
of December.
“Staff has also been working on the license documents themselves,
which will be akin to comprehensive contracts. Once all of those components
are in place and fully implemented, the commission will be in a position
to formally consider licenses. You remain on track to take licensing action
by the end of the calendar year,” he said.
Williams said regulations for casino operation will go into effect on
next Wednesday, September 30 with other updates and reports drafted before
the licenses are granted.
On Tuesday, Thompson Town Supervisor William Rieber said the town will
be granting final approvals within days and the foundations could start
to be poured for the first building.
