Lengthy Island On line casino Opposition to Rally In opposition to Las Vegas Sands
A bunch against a on line casino on Lengthy Island plans to rally towards the proposed undertaking pitched by Las Vegas Sands for the Nassau Coliseum web site this Sunday, Could 21.
An artist’s rendering of what Las Vegas Sands has in retailer for the Nassau Hub and Coliseum on New York’s Lengthy Island. An area group that opposes the on line casino undertaking plans to rally towards the event on Sunday, Could 21. (Picture: Las Vegas Sands)
The “Say No to the On line casino Civic Affiliation” is a grassroots coalition that features Nassau County residents. Organizers are inviting anybody who opposes industrial playing on New York’s Lengthy Island to collect outdoors the Nassau Legislative Constructing on Sunday afternoon. Come Monday. The Nassau County Legislature is about to vote on a proposal that may switch the lease of the Nassau Hub and Coliseum to Sands to construct an built-in on line casino resort vacation spot.
“Say No to the On line casino” opposes permitting Sands to redevelop the 72-acre property, which mixed-use actual property improvement companies have unsuccessfully focused in recent times.
This would be the closing alternative to voice opposition earlier than the County Legislature is entrusted with this necessary choice,” mentioned Backyard Metropolis Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan, one of many native officers who’s opposing the Sands undertaking. Flanagan has no vote on whether or not the Nassau Hub lease is transferred.
Sands already has the assist of Nassau County Govt Director Bruce Blakeman. The proposal to switch the property to Sands handed the county legislature’s Guidelines Committee final week. 4 Republicans handed the movement within the seven-member committee.
Opponents: Considerations Outweigh Advantages
Sands not has a home on line casino in its portfolio however operates built-in resorts in China’s Macau and Singapore. It has pledged to direct tens of tens of millions of {dollars} in Nassau County’s method ought to it achieve management of the Nassau Hub and Coliseum. The on line casino operator previously owned and operated The Venetian and Palazzo on the Las Vegas Strip and Sands Bethlehem in Japanese Pennsylvania has agreed to pay Lengthy Island County $54 million upon lease receipt.
Sands will then pay Nassau County $5 million in annual lease and $900K yearly to cowl elevated public security prices. Ought to Sands safe one of many three full-scale industrial gaming licenses allotted for New York’s downstate area, the annual lease would enhance to $10 million, and the general public security part would double.
“Say No to the On line casino” and different opponents to the Sands plan cite elevated visitors and crime as two main causes for his or her hostility.
“This on line casino will change the character of Nassau County and the encircling neighborhoods and can result in a rise in crime, visitors, and noise air pollution. It should additionally put a pressure on our native legislation enforcement and governments,” mentioned John Chiara, who began the “Say No to the On line casino” group.
Fierce Bidding
Even when the Nassau County Legislature decides to switch the Nassau Hub lease to Sands, there’s no assure {that a} on line casino will come to Uniondale. Although three downstate New York on line casino licenses are up for grabs, Resorts World New York Metropolis and Empire Metropolis On line casino are thought of heavy favorites for 2 of the licenses.
Although there’s an opportunity the New York State Gaming Fee and its Gaming Facility Location Board will decide to award the coveted $500 million licenses to different gaming operators looking for entry into the Empire State, the presumption amongst lobbyists and gaming analysts is that just one license will likely be out there.
Sands, Caesars Leisure, Wynn Resorts, Mohegan, Bally’s Corp., and Exhausting Rock Worldwide are prepping bids for the downstate licenses.
