Lawmaker: It's time to vote on NY casinos

ALBANY -- Pro-gambling forces are preparing to make a major push to get the State Legislature to allow a referendum on amending the state constitution to allow casino gaming around New York.

A key state senator said Thursday that "the time has come" for New Yorkers to vote on the issue once and for all. State Sen. John Bonacic (R-Mount Hope), chairman of the Senate Racing and Wagering Committee, said he will push the Legislature early in the 2012 session to allow such a referendum. He said he's making the push because "people are desperate for economic vitality in New York."

"The time has come for the people to decide" whether to legalize casinos, said Bonacic, who represents parts of the Hudson Valley and Catskills regions.

His initiative has the backing of Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre). Bonacic has slated hearings on the topic; one is set for Sept. 9 at the Nassau County Office Building.

Meanwhile, a coalition of "racinos" -- horse racing tracks that offer video slot machines -- has already begun drafting a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow their facilities to become full-scale casinos, offering poker, craps, roulette and other "table" games. Aqueduct Racetrack will become the ninth racino when it adds slots this fall.

The soonest any referendum could go to voters would be November 2013. Before that, the State Legislature and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo would have to twice approve a measure to offer the referendum, presumably in 2012 and 2013.

Cuomo hasn't said exactly where he stands on the idea of expanding casinos but has indicated he's open to exploring the idea and said he wants to develop a cohesive gambling policy -- something he said the state lacks now.

"You have gaming in this state, and by the way, you have gaming in other states. . . . It's already happening. So if there is gaming, how should it be done?" Cuomo said a few weeks ago.

James Featherstonhaugh, head of the coalition that calls itself the New York Gaming Association, said it makes sense to expand only at sites where gambling is already established. He believes that bolsters the group's chances with lawmakers and the public -- and limits attacks from gambling critics.

"We are talking about existing gaming locations and just changing the nature of gaming at those locations," Featherstonhaugh said. "These facilities have operated since 2004 and, for the most part, have worked well in their communities and are appreciated in their communities for the jobs they provide."

Currently, in addition to the racinos, New York has five upstate casinos run by Native American tribes. In most cases, the tribes' operating compact with the state calls for exclusive rights to so-called table games in exchange for a share of slot-machine revenues. But the tribes have been withholding payments because of the ongoing controversy about the state's attempt to impose taxes on the Native Americans' lucrative cigarette sales on reservations. Gambling-expansion proponents believe that stalemate helps their odds.

The last time the legislature considered amending the constitution to allow casinos, in 1997, the Republican-led Senate soundly defeated it -- amid strong opposition from religious groups, anti-gambling groups and developers such as Donald Trump who owned casinos in competing states.

Bonacic predicted it will be different in 2012 because of the struggling economy, especially upstate.

He said: "Quite frankly, I think the stars are aligned."