7 New Casinos Coming To New York After Cuomo-Backed Ballot Measure Passes

New York Voters Approve Of 7 New Casinos
People gamble at the casino at the Aqueduct Racetrack in the Queens section of New York, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. More than a billion dollars bet by nearly a million customers last month is the latest evidence that the "racino" at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York City is capitalizing on its prime location and drawing dollars and gamblers from neighboring states' casinos. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
People gamble at the casino at the Aqueduct Racetrack in the Queens section of New York, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. More than a billion dollars bet by nearly a million customers last month is the latest evidence that the "racino" at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York City is capitalizing on its prime location and drawing dollars and gamblers from neighboring states' casinos. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

A ballot measure allowing seven new casinos in New York state was approved by voters Tuesday.

Governor Andrew Cuomo says that the plan will bring jobs to upstate regions and encourage tourism. As of late Tuesday night, 57 percent of voters thought Cuomo's plan was a safe bet.

Cuomo backed the proposed amendment to the state Constitution with support from business and labor leaders who raised $4 million pay for television ads and newspaper editorials in support of the measure, The Daily News reports.

New York already has five Inidan-run casinos upstate. The first four of the new Las Vegas-style casinos will not be near those existing businesses.

Existing electronic slot casinos may soon be allowed to install live table games.

"The passage of Proposal One is a big win for local governments, school districts, and taxpayers across New York state," Cuomo said in a statement, according to USA Today. "This vote will keep hundreds of millions of dollars spent each year in neighboring states right here in New York, while increasing revenue for local schools, lowering property tax taxes, and bringing proper regulation to the industry."

The New York state Gaming Commission will work on reviewing proposals for the first four casinos, set to be built in the Catskills, the Albany area, and the Southern Tier, near the Pennsylvania border.. According to The New York Times, developers have the most interest in the Catskills region since resorts were once so profitable there.

Proposal One's critics include the state's Roman Catholic bishops and the state Conservative Party. The Committee Against Proposition 1 said in a statement to the Associated Press that "everything about the process seemed rigged. Nevertheless, we accept that the people of New York have spoken; our focus will now be on how to mitigate the impact of casinos in the Catskills."

Cuomo believes that the casinos will generate $1.2 billion a year in revenue.

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