Monday, January 25, 2016

Tioga Downs Declared a December Winner

Local Casino Brings Home Seven National Industry Awards

Nichols, N.Y. - January 25, 2016 - The results are in and Tioga Downs won in multiple categories for the December Best of Slots issue of Strictly Slots, the monthly magazine that highlights casinos and new slot machines and video poker games.

Tioga Downs received two first place awards and seven total awards out of 18 categories.

"The hard working and dedicated staff - from the top to the bottom - is why we were able to bring home these recognitions," Tioga Downs Owner Jeff Gural said. "I would like to express my sincere appreciation for all guests, staff and the region as a whole that have helped make Tioga Downs the premier entertainment destination in the Southern Tier."

The casino placed first in two categories, "Casino Where You Feel Luckiest" and "Best Comps." It also took home two second place prizes, "Best Nickel Slots" and "Best 50-cent Slots." Strictly Slots officials also named Tioga Downs to three third place wins in the "Best Video Slots," "Best Progressive Slots" and "Best Slot Club Promotions" categories.

Strictly Slots is a national monthly magazine aimed at slot machine and video poker players. The magazine focuses on upcoming, new slot machines and video poker games, as well as casino amenities. Strictly Slots features regular articles from notable gambling authors, including Bob Dancer, Jeffrey Compton, Frank Legato and Frank Scoblete. Strictly Slots is published by the Casino Publishing Group, which also publishes Casino Player magazine, America's most popular gaming magazine.  Typical Strictly Slots topics include the following: history of slot machine, the principle of slot machine work, new strategies for playing video poker, casino reviews and latest casino news.

Tioga Downs offers live harness racing, video lottery terminals, video poker and electronic roulette. A variety of eateries are also part of the current entertainment complex. Jeff Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY and Vernon Downs in Vernon, NY. Tioga Downs is in the process of transforming into a full casino gaming resort to serve the Southern Tier and beyond as well as expanding its facility and workforce to accommodate live casino gaming. Construction on an expanded gaming complex is underway. Tioga Downs officials have confirmed that construction is on budget as well as on schedule.  The poker room, which represents the first phase of the casino expansion, is expected to open July 1.  In the last decade, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have created more than 700 family-sustaining jobs and donated millions to nonprofit organizations. For more information on Tioga Downs, please visit www.tiogadowns.com.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Tioga Downs celebrates successful year, looks ahead to even better 2016

Continued investment planned in Winterfest, new construction 

Nichols, N.Y. - January 8, 2016 - After a successful 2015, Tioga Downs is ringing in the new year by announcing plans for increased investment in its events and the facility. Winterfest, the free family-friendly celebration of the holiday season, drew more than 13,000 people to the entertainment complex last month. The festivities ran two fewer days in 2015, but total Winterfest attendance saw an increase of 3,000 visitors from the previous year. The number of visitors watching the holiday parade more than tripled compared to 2014.

"Word has spread that Winterfest is the community holiday gathering not to be missed," said Tioga Downs owner Jeff Gural. "That coupled with December's unseasonably warm weather made Tioga Downs the place to be this year." Temperatures on three Winterfest dates reached into the 50s.

Special activity nights proved popular again this year with more people coming out to enjoy the light show and brand new family photo booth area as well as the ice bar, craft show and ice sculpting evenings. Hundreds of guests enjoyed visiting the live reindeer, and additional new attractions are already being planned for Winterfest 2016.

Tioga Downs' revenues were up for the year by more than a million dollars, and the addition of full gaming this year promises to yield further increases for 2016.

"Additional revenue means more opportunities for us to invest in our community," Gural said. "Tioga Downs remains thankful for the public support that made the gaming license possible and remains committed to giving back in every way we can."

Construction on an expanded gaming complex is underway. Tioga Downs officials have confirmed that construction is on budget as well as on schedule.  The poker room, which represents the first phase of the casino expansion, is expected to open July 1.

Tioga Downs offers live harness racing, video lottery terminals, video poker and electronic roulette. A variety of eateries are also part of the current entertainment complex. Jeff Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY and Vernon Downs in Vernon, NY. Tioga Downs is beginning the process of transforming into a full casino gaming resort to serve the Southern Tier and beyond as well as expanding its facility and workforce to accommodate live casino gaming. In the last decade, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have created more than 700 family-sustaining jobs and donated millions to nonprofit organizations. For more information on Tioga Downs, please visit www.tiogadowns.com.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Tioga Downs to give away two thousand Powerball tickets tomorrow

Free tickets give the public a chance at the record $1.5 billion jackpot

Nichols, N.Y. - January 12, 2016 - The excitement surrounding the 44 state Powerball frenzy continues as the jackpot, which hasn't been won since early November, continue to swell to record numbers.  Experts estimate that the jackpot for tomorrow night's drawing will be upwards of $1.5 billion, making it the largest jackpot in United States history.  To join in the excitement, Jeff Gural has announced that Tioga Downs will be giving a voucher for a free $2 Powerball ticket to the first 2,000 people to visit the Players Club tomorrow between 9 am and 9 pm.  The boca ticket/voucher received at the Player's Club can then be redeemed for a free Powerball ticket at Coasters Sports Bar or the Carousel Bar at Tioga Downs. This offer is only valid tomorrow, Wednesday January 13, between 9 am and 9 pm at Tioga Downs while supplies last.  Tickets are limited to one per person and each guest must be at least 18 years of age and have a Tioga Downs Your Club card in order to receive the free ticket.  The public is encouraged to come down to Tioga Downs for their free chance to be a part of history.

"This historic Powerball jackpot has taken the country by storm, dominating conversation, news headlines and social media.  We at Tioga Downs are also excited and happy to do our part to give others a chance at history by offering a free Powerball ticket to the first 2,000 guests who come to our Players Club.  Nothing would make me happier than to see someone from our community win this tremendous prize," commented Jeff Gural, CEO of American Racing and Entertainment.
Vernon Downs, the sister property of Tioga Downs, has announced that they will be giving 2,000 free Powerball tickets tomorrow to guests on a first come first serve basis as well.
Powerball is played in 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. No players have correctly selected the six numbers required to win the jackpot in the last 19 drawings dating back to Nov. 11.  Retailers say that the demand for tickets to the drawing at 10:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday has been off the charts, raising the possibility that the payoff could climb even higher than the current estimated jackpot of $1.5 billion.
Tioga Downs offers live harness racing, video lottery terminals, video poker and electronic roulette. A variety of eateries are also part of the current entertainment complex. Jeff Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY and Vernon Downs in Vernon, NY. Tioga Downs is in the process of transforming into a full casino gaming resort to serve the Southern Tier and beyond as well as expanding its facility and workforce to accommodate live casino gaming. Construction on an expanded gaming complex is underway. Tioga Downs officials have confirmed that construction is on budget as well as on schedule.  The poker room, which represents the first phase of the casino expansion, is expected to open July 1.  In the last decade, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have created more than 700 family-sustaining jobs and donated millions to nonprofit organizations. For more information on Tioga Downs, please visit www.tiogadowns.com.

Friday, January 8, 2016

Tioga Downs' celebrates successful year, looks ahead to even better 2016

Continued investment planned in Winterfest, new construction 

Nichols, N.Y. – January 8, 2016 – After a successful 2015, Tioga Downs is ringing in the new year by announcing plans for increased investment in its events and the facility. Winterfest, the free family-friendly celebration of the holiday season, drew more than 13,000 people to the entertainment complex last month. The festivities ran two fewer days in 2015, but total Winterfest attendance saw an increase of 3,000 visitors from the previous year. The number of visitors watching the holiday parade more than tripled compared to 2014.

"Word has spread that Winterfest is the community holiday gathering not to be missed," said Tioga Downs owner Jeff Gural. "That coupled with December's unseasonably warm weather made Tioga Downs the place to be this year." Temperatures on three Winterfest dates reached into the 50s.

Special activity nights proved popular again this year with more people coming out to enjoy the light show and brand new family photo booth area as well as the ice bar, craft show and ice sculpting evenings. Hundreds of guests enjoyed visiting the live reindeer, and additional new attractions are already being planned for Winterfest 2016.

Tioga Downs' revenues were up for the year by more than a million dollars, and the addition of full gaming this year promises to yield further increases for 2016.

"Additional revenue means more opportunities for us to invest in our community," Gural said. "Tioga Downs remains thankful for the public support that made the gaming license possible and remains committed to giving back in every way we can."

Construction on an expanded gaming complex is underway. Tioga Downs officials have confirmed that construction is on budget as well as on schedule.  The poker room, which represents the first phase of the casino expansion, is expected to open July 1.

Tioga Downs offers live harness racing, video lottery terminals, video poker and electronic roulette. A variety of eateries are also part of the current entertainment complex. Jeff Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY and Vernon Downs in Vernon, NY. Tioga Downs is beginning the process of transforming into a full casino gaming resort to serve the Southern Tier and beyond as well as expanding its facility and workforce to accommodate live casino gaming. In the last decade, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have created more than 700 family-sustaining jobs and donated millions to nonprofit organizations. For more information on Tioga Downs, please visit www.tiogadowns.com.