It’s official! Full casino gaming coming to the Southern Tier

Tioga Downs credits community, State for making it possible

Nichols, N.Y. - August 30, 2016 - After months of anticipation, it's finally official — The New York State Gaming Commission granted Tioga Downs a Class III commercial gaming license today.

The license will allow Tioga Downs to complete its transformation into a full-scale casino, replacing the current Video Lottery Terminals with slot machines and allowing the facility to add Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, a Poker Room and other casino card games that would be permitted by the gaming commission.

Currently, a multi-million dollar expansion underway at the racino will make way for the next generation of gaming.

The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board recommended Tioga Downs receive the state's final license last October, and today, the full commission endorsed the decision.

Tioga Downs owner Jeff Gural credits widespread public support for showing the commission that the community wanted to see casino gaming come to the Southern Tier.
"The community's outpouring of support has been invaluable towards making this happen. Your calls, letters and public comments made all the difference in making this happen for Tioga Downs," said Gural.
The announcement comes just as Tioga Downs opened up Virgil's Real BBQ earlier this month as well as the first finished section of the new gaming area.  In its first few weeks of operation, Virgil's Real BBQ has far exceeded expectations and is off to a great start.
Tioga Downs will also break ground on the new 161-room hotel and convention center on September 6.  This addition will further transform the property into a world-class resort.  The casino is continuing to hold job fairs and recruit new employees who will be needed to staff the expanded offerings.
This year marks the tenth anniversary celebration for Tioga Downs. The entertainment complex offers live harness racing and video lottery terminals, video poker and electronic table games. A variety of eateries are also part of the racino. Jeff Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY and Vernon Downs in Vernon, NY. The New York State Gaming Commission has officially granted a full casino gaming license to Tioga Downs. An expansion is underway to complete the casino's transformation. 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.

Country music legend Kenny Rogers brings farewell tour to Tioga Downs

Tickets still available for Labor Day weekend concert

           

Nichols, N.Y. – August 24, 2016 – GRAMMY Award-winning superstar and Country Music Hall of Fame member Kenny Rogers is touring the world one final time and including Tioga Downs on his list of limited concert locations. Sponsored by Tioga State Bank, Rogers’ farewell tour will stop at Tioga Downs Sunday, September 4 at 8 p.m.

With special guest Linda Davis, the “Gambler’s Last Deal” show promises to celebrate Rogers’ musical legacy with songs from his repertoire of 24 number one hits, including "The Gambler," "She Believes In Me" and "Buy Me A Rose." Rogers has performed for global audiences and millions of fans throughout his career. His farewell tour is expected to extend into 2017 and includes stops in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Tickets to the highly anticipated event are available at three levels—$35, $45 and $55. Limited seats are still available through all Ticketmaster outlets and the Tioga Downs Gift Shop. The outdoor concert will take place rain or shine.

This marks the end of the summer concert season at Tioga Downs, but it comes at the beginning of an exciting new chapter as certain renovations to the entertainment complex are already being completed. A new casino gaming area, which recently opened to the public, connects visitors to Virgil’s Real BBQ, another recent addition to the property. A groundbreaking for a hotel at Tioga Downs is scheduled for September 6.  

This year marks the tenth anniversary celebration for Tioga Downs. The entertainment complex offers live harness racing, video lottery terminals, video poker and electronic table games. A variety of eateries are also part of the racino. Jeff Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY and Vernon Downs in Vernon, NY. Tioga Downs was recently recommended by the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board for a full gaming license. 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.

Tioga Downs to donate more than $100,000 to local veterans charity

Grand Funk Railroad concert proves successful

           

Nichols, N.Y. – August 18, 2016 – Saturday’s Grand Funk Railroad concert helped Tioga Downs raise significant funds for the Southern Tier Veteran’s Support Group (STVSG). A combination of proceeds from ticket sales and a personal donation by owner Jeff Gural equals a gift in the amount of $100,530, which will be made to the charity.

Tioga Downs sold 3,351 concert tickets at $15 each to raise the first $50,265. Tioga Downs Casino was able to cover the production costs associated with the concert thanks to the generosity of their sponsors—CGL Architects, Larson Design Group, Giovanetti Shulman Associates and The Harman Group. The donation amount doubled after Gural’s promised 100% match.

“We are so thankful for the incredible generosity Tioga Downs and Mr. Gural have expressed over the years,” said STVSG Vice President Ben Margolius. “Their support has helped us provide critical help to so many veterans facing hardships.”

The STVSG aims to connect area veterans, service members and their families with a wide variety of resources to assist with their physical, emotional and economic well-being.

This year marks the tenth anniversary celebration for Tioga Downs. The entertainment complex offers live harness racing, video lottery terminals, video poker and electronic table games. A variety of eateries are also part of the racino. Jeff Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY and Vernon Downs in Vernon, NY. Tioga Downs was recently recommended by the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board for a full gaming license. 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.

Tioga Downs opens brand new gaming area

Expansion progress continues while complex awaits license

           

Nichols, N.Y. – August 12, 2016 – Visitors to Tioga Downs this week will have a chance to experience the first finished section of the major renovation underway at the entertainment complex. Part of the new gaming area is now complete. More than 250 video lottery terminals have been set up in the area so guests can begin to enjoy the expanded casino.

“Rather than wait to reveal the expanded area all at once, we decided our guests should have a chance to enjoy the finished section right away,” said owner Jeff Gural. “We are extremely excited about Tioga Downs’ future and we thought that we would share a little taste of it right now.  Virgil’s Real BBQ is off to a great start and this new area will provide easier, indoor access for our guests as well.”

The new gaming area connects the casino with the new Virgil’s Real BBQ, providing easier access to the restaurant which opened earlier this month. The multi-million dollar project to expand the Tioga Downs gaming area has been underway since October 2015. Last fall, New York’s Gaming Location Board recommended that Tioga Downs receive the state’s final full gaming license. Final approval of the license is anticipated this summer.

Major renovations to expand the Tioga Downs casino will make way for table games that a Class III license would allow the facility to offer. In order to prepare for this next phase of gaming at the casino, Tioga Downs has also been offering a dealer training school to qualified individuals who want to learn additional skills.

“As we expand, we will need to grow our team,” said Gural. “We are confident that the members of our local community have the talents to be a big part of the Tioga Downs’ future—we just need to give them the tools to help develop their skills.”

This year marks the tenth anniversary celebration for Tioga Downs. The entertainment complex offers live harness racing, video lottery terminals, video poker and electronic table games. A variety of eateries are also part of the racino. Jeff Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY and Vernon Downs in Vernon, NY. Tioga Downs was recently recommended by the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board for a full gaming license. 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.