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New York Gambling Lobbying Tops $3 Million

ALBANY, New York – As reported by the (Binghamtom, New York) Press & Sun-Bulletin: "Gambling promoters poured millions of dollars into lobbying and campaign contributions in a behind-the-scenes effort to expand gambling at racetracks, casinos and betting parlors in New York, state records show.

"The spending will top $3 million by year's end and produced some noteworthy payoffs. Gambling interests got legislators to:

"-boost video slot machine hours to 16 a day at eight horse-racing tracks, scheduled to begin next year.

"-give racetracks a greater share of slot-machine profits.

"-make Quick Draw even quicker.

"…And Gov. George E. Pataki made a deal with the St. Regis Mohawks and a big-time casino developer to build a casino in the Catskill Mountains, although the agreement was overturned later by the tribe.

"…`The $3 million is not a huge amount compared to what other special interests spend. But it is funding a successful campaign,' said Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group, which monitors lobbying and campaign contributions.

"…Yonkers Raceway spent $110,000 over the last two years. Monticello Raceway spent $90,000. Mid-State Raceway spent $50,000. Finger Lakes Racetrack spent $98,000 while the Finger Lakes Horsemen's Association, which represents owners and trainers, spent another $90,000.

"…Park Place Entertainment spent $604,207 during the last two years. It has worked with the St. Regis Mohawks to build one of the three scheduled Catskills casinos. Hudson Valley Resorts, a competitor, spent $346,401.

"Native American tribes have been spending in the six figures as well, led by the Seneca Nation ($221,383)…"

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