22 NY counties to receive US$30 million in casino fees

According to New York state officials 22 counties will benefit from US$30 million in casino license fees.

US.- Currently there are three casinos under construction in the Catskills, the Finger Lakes and Schenectady in NY. The 2013 legislation that allowed Las Vegas-style casinos to be built in upstate New York state requires localities to receive the payments.

This means that the casinos had to pay US$151 million in license fees, with 80 percent earmarked for school aid and property tax relief statewide. The remaining 20 percent goes to counties in the casino regions and to the host municipalities.

Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed that the three casinos located upstate have paid their licensing fees, which amounts to US$151 million as expected. The money will be used for education programs and will be split among the communities in which the venues are located. This will include Schenectady, Sullivan, Seneca County, Tyre and Thompson.