New York casinos to cut number of slots machines

The two facilities reached an agreement with the state to eliminate several slot machines.

US.- Resorts World Catskills and Tioga Downs reached an agreement with the New York Gaming Commission on Monday to reduce the number of slot machines that they feature in their upstate facilities.

The gaming commission approved yesterday the request made by the two casinos as they have struggled to meet revenue projections in their first year of operations. Resorts World Catskills will cut the number of its slot machines and will have 550 fewer. On the other hand, Tioga Downs in the Southern Tier will be able to eliminate 50 slot machines under the agreement.

The commission said that allowing them to remove slot machines would let them “maximise the efficiency of asset utilisation and patron opportunity without negative effects on the patron experience, facility employment or state revenue.”

In order to open their facilities, Resorts World was required to have at least 2,150 slot machines. The agreement sets that it only needs 1,600 slot machines or 26% fewer than initially established.

Furthermore, Jeff Gural, owner of Tioga Downs said: “We had more slots and tables than we needed, but needed space to provide for sports betting.”