No casinos without local benefits

In a bid to increase New York’s revenue, Governor Andrew Cuomo has proposed the expansion of gaming. The focus is on depressed upstate areas, which have been designated for the first round of casino locations. The revenue generated would go mostly to state educational aid.

However, if New York heads in this direction, then casinos must have real, local benefits. And the say on them has to come from the communities that would be directly affected.

To this end, State Senator Eric Adams and Assemblyman Karim Camara introduced a bill know as the “Local Empowerment through Gaming Opportunities Act” that would put certain checks in place should New York open its doors to more casinos.

The bill calls for a binding community reinvestment plan by any applicant seeking a casino license. It requires deliverables such as an economic impact study and funding for jobs training. The Act sets guidelines for wages and also for doing business with locals, women and minorities. Under this measure, at least 25% of a bidding consortium has to reflect underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups.

To take this a step further, Councilwoman Letitia James introduced a resolution calling for local legislative approval prior to the sitting of commercial casinos by a state gaming commission. This mirrors what other cities and counties like Rockland have also put on the table.

In addition to the integration of local approval, any expansion of gaming should not undermine the Native American nations that made inroads into this industry. They have long provided employment and small business benefits beyond their areas.

These controls, and most importantly, enforcement, should be a part of any plan that Albany tries to approve and put before a voter referendum. Otherwise, New York runs the high risk of importing Las Vegas casinos and gambling away the growth of local communities.