Malaysian firm bids to operate slots at Aqueduct

The New York Lottery is evaluating the bid of a Malaysia-based company to operate 4,500 electronic slot machines at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park.

Lottery spokeswoman Jennifer Givner says the bid is from Genting New York, an offshoot of a Malaysian company.

The lottery said it disqualified two other bidders on Tuesday because of deviations from bid requirements. Those bids were from Penn National Gaming, and a consortium of SL Green, Hard Rock International and Clairvest Group.

Givner says the lottery expects to fully evaluate Genting's bid and make a recommendation by Aug. 3 to Gov. David Paterson and state legislators. The agency's timeline calls for the casino opening 12 to 18 months from a contract award.