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Catskill Casino Developer Declares War

“And even though the first pair of dice won't roll until 2005 at the earliest, the CEO of the company that plans to build the first of three Indian gaming halls in this land of bankrupt bungalows has already declared war on Atlantic City.

“`This is New York versus New Jersey, it's nothing else,’ said Robert Berman, who runs Empire Resorts, Inc., which has a deal with the Cayuga tribe to operate a casino on the grounds of Monticello Raceway. `Nobody in Atlantic City wants to see a casino in Sullivan County, New York, in the heart of their market...It's war.’

“…There's no question that the stakes are high. Casinos in the Catskills, less than 100 miles from Times Square, could shave at least 40 minutes off the drive for city gamblers who head to Atlantic City or Indian casinos in Connecticut.

“And with plans for a refurbished grandstand and a new 5/8th-of-a-mile harness track - plus 1,800 video lottery terminals already authorized by the state - this long-neglected village could reinvent itself as a minigambling mecca.

“…Although legislation signed by Gov. Pataki in 2001 authorizes three Indian casinos in the Catskills region, much work needs to be done before Berman's company can begin construction this fall on its $500 million, 585,000-square-foot gaming hall.

“Among other things, the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs must sign off on the project and the Cayugas have to reach agreement on an operating compact with Pataki, a document that would spell out the state's share of revenues.

“…Berman said he doubts Park Place will ever build an Indian casino in the region unless someone else, like Empire Resorts, opens first. `If nobody goes first here, my personal belief is, you will never see them do anything.’

“…At that point, Berman crows, `Atlantic City is dead. I'm telling you, they're dead.’

“…[Donald] Trump sees it differently, saying of Berman, `He failed up there miserably. He's the one who got his casino stolen by Park Place. They took it away from him like a baby - and now he's crying spilt milk. So that's Berman.’…”

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