Live Vegas-style table games and dealers at the Aqueduct racino? Could be!
State Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos said today that New York City should be considered a prime destination for a full-fledged casino – and particularly noted the popular Aqueduct Resorts World gambling parlor could be converted into a resorts-type gaming complex.
Under current law, Aqueduct is only authorized to offer slot and electronic table games. But New Yorkers will vote in a referendum this fall on whether to legalize up to seven Vegas-style casinos in the state.
Gov. Cuomo wants the first three casinos to be built upstate to boost tourism.
But Skelos said the Big Apple should be part of the mix. “New York City should be considered,” the Long Island lawmaker said following a Crain’s breakfast. “Aqueduct should be considered.”
But Skelos shot down as impractical the Mets’ owners proposal to put a Shinnecock tribal casino in Willets Point near Citi Field. He said the federal government “doesn’t look kindly” on siting tribal casinos on non-tribal land.