In a month, the del Lago Resort & Casino will be opening in Tyre.
When that happens, leadership from the Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack in Farmington says their revenue will drop 30 to 40 percent.
Even when the two facilities are operating — the two will be in different “zones,” created by state officials — who only recently got behind the casino business, as an economic engine.
It’s been a bitter fight for those at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack who say it will hurt small businesses, farmers, and those who have relied on the horse racing business for generations to survive.
Time Warner Cable News reported this week that the Finger Lakes Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association would suspend thoroughbred and harness racing simulcast wagering effective New Year’s Day.
All due to the HBPA and racetrack not reaching agreeable terms on a new contract for the simulcast wagering.
HBPA president David Brown said in an interview this week that the move was born ‘out of frustration’, and was seen internally as an effort to get attention from state leaders.
The future looks bleak for the racetrack in Farmington, as Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack Regional Director of Marketing Steve Martin said the suspension seriously limits their ability to continue operating the way people and customers have come to expect.
There is expected to be a meeting between Governor Andrew Cuomo, and those who have a stake in the issue. It’s unclear if that will spur a new contract, or when a new contract might be reached to resume simulcast wagering.
del Lago Resort & Casino will be opening on February 1st at 10 am.
