- $2,400 max Slots bonus
- $1,200 max Blackjack bonus
- Unique weekend deposit bonuses
Blotter: Controversy erupts over NYC racino bid
Rss-
New York Governor David Paterson selected the Aqueduct Entertainment Group to operate the race book and slots parlor at New York City's historic Aqueduct racetrack last week. Experts who follow the gaming industry have estimated that the facility will bring in up to US$6 billion per year. Currently, the Aqueduct track is the only one allowed to also feature slot machines within New York City itself.
The selection is not without controversy, as many observers within both the gaming industry and the state government have cited the appearance of political favoritism. Officials with Penn National Gaming, a leading casino firm that operates facilities in many northeastern states, have called for a special independent investigation into the selection process. Penn National was one of the firms bidding on operating the Aqueduct "racino".
Other bidders are also decrying the AEG selection, especially considering that AEG supplied a payment of US$300 million to the state before the selection process began. According to reports, Governor Paterson repeatedly asked the other competing bidders to alter their proposals for more than a year. Penn National Senior Vice President Eric Shippers claimed that the governor's office "kept changing (requirements) on us".
Although Penn National was believed to be the high bidder last summer, the governor's office asked them to go back and re-do their bid. Another losing bidder, Delaware North, complained about a lack of consistency in the process. James Featherstonhaugh, a Delaware North executive, stated that the methods the state required for submitting bids appeared as if "they were making (it) up as they went along".
The claims of political influence were even heard among some of Paterson's nominal political allies. Peter Kiernan, one of the governor's attorneys, stated that political connections were a deciding factor in the selection of AEG. Gary Pretlow, chairman of the New York State Assembly's Racing and Wagering Committee, said that the selection was a "pretty good pay day" for AEG and that the losing bidders should be "screaming more than they are."
09-Feb-2010, 08:27
Discuss this article below or on our Facebook Fan page.
Comments
Post new comment