Politics & Government

New York Voters Approve Casino Expansion

Up to four casinos could be built upstate in the next seven years.

New York voters have approved a referendum that clears the way for up to seven new casinos in the state.

The Associated Press said the Constitutional Amendment passed with about 60 percent of the votes counted. About 57 percent of voters were in favor of the measure.

The first wave of casinos, up to four in the next seven years, would be built upstate in the Catskills, metro-Albany and the Southern Tier. 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo was a top proponent of the bill, making the case that new casinos would lead to more jobs in New York. 

Proponents also argued that New York was losing out on casino business to bordering states such as Connecticut, which has two popular casinos in the eastern part of the state. 

But others from both sides of the political aisle opposed the measure. State Sen. Liz Krueger, a liberal from Manhattan, said at a press event this week that casinos hurt people who can least afford it and promotes crime as well. She was joined by Mike Long, chairman of the Conservative Party, who also pushed for voters to turn down the amendment.


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