New York state announced that 22 counties, including Saratoga and Washington counties, and three municipalities across upstate New York are receiving $30.2 million in license fees paid by newly licensed destination resort casinos.
Saratoga County will receive $1,240,780, while Washington County will receive $357,170, officials said.
“This funding will help counties and local governments provide essential services to their residents as well as work to reduce their tax burden,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “These destination resorts will help drive more tourism and economic development dollars upstate and, with these payments, local governments are already seeing the benefits of these projects.”
The county payouts are one portion of the $151 million in commercial casino license fees that are being distributed across upstate using the same formula for casino gaming revenue laid out in the Upstate New York Gaming and Economic Development Act of 2013.
State officials said 80 percent will be applied statewide for school aid/property tax relief; 10 percent will be split between host municipality and county; and 10 percent will go to counties in the regions established by the Act based on population.
The Capital Region will receive $10 million well before Rivers Casino & Resort at Mohawk Harbor opens its doors in early 2017, officials said. The City of Schenectady and Schenectady County split 10 percent of the revenue (both receiving $2,500,000) for their roles as Rivers' host municipality and county, respectively. The funds for Saratoga and Washington counties are part of the $10 million. The counties of Albany, Fulton, Montgomery and Rensselaer also received funding.
New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen Acquario said, millions of dollars in casino license fees are a much-needed benefit to upstate communities, and we are grateful for the support."