Casino
Resort Celebrates Growth, Development
Nichols,
N.Y. – February 15,
2018 – Tioga Downs is celebrating a year of tremendous growth and progress. December marked a year since the
casino resort completed its gaming floor expansion.
The expansion of the new gaming floor established
Tioga Downs as a full-scale gambling operation. In addition to the new 12 table poker room and 32 Las
Vegas style table games, the casino also added 140 new slot machines.
The gaming selection isn’t all that’s grown. In December 2017,
Tioga Downs opened a luxurious new hotel that boasts 161 rooms and spans six
floors, includes a new events center that can accommodate up to 450 guests for special
occasions such as weddings, banquets and conventions. Tioga Downs also recently opened the full-service
AgeLess Spa, a new fitness center, two rooftop decks, and expanded its dining
options with the addition of new restaurant, P.J. Clarke’s. In the warmer
weather, guests will now have three swimming areas to choose from, thanks to the
new indoor pool, outdoor pool and water slide, all of which are salt water. Additionally, Tioga Downs
has constructed a new clubhouse for the nearby Tioga Golf Club, which
includes a new dining location, pro shop, locker rooms and spacious banquet
area for tournament receptions or those looking to host special occasions at
the club.
This massive amount of development established Tioga Downs as a complete
casino resort and one of the region’s most valuable tourist destinations. Most
recently Tioga Downs has formed partnerships with Watkins Glen International,
Corning Museum of Glass and the Finger Lakes Wine Country. Economically, Tioga
Downs has contributed to Tioga County and its surrounding areas. In its first
year, the casino contributed $1,322,606 in gross gaming revenue for the Town of Nichols and
Tioga County respectively, $1,419,669 for Broome County, $294,408 for Chemung
County, $70,694 for Schuyler County, $718,780 for Tompkins County and $141,662
for Wayne County.
Most importantly, these expansions created hundreds of new local
jobs, bringing the total number of Tioga Downs employees to about 700 -- a
number that’s expected to grow even more during racing season.
“Tioga Downs is truly a Southern Tier success story," Senator
Fred Akshar, of New York State's 52nd District said. "Our community
continues to reap the benefits of millions in economic activity, tax
revenue and philanthropy generated by the hard work, vision and
unwavering dedication of Mr. Gural and his entire team. On
behalf of the 52nd Senate District, he and his team have our sincere
thanks and best wishes for the future. I know this is only the beginning
of the success that’s in store for Tioga Downs.”
“Tioga County has been a longtime, strong supporter of Tioga Downs since it opened in 2006. We stood behind Jeff Gural and his team as they worked to build a facility that offers live harness racing, an entertainment venue and a six-story hotel, creating a full-fledged casino resort” said Martha Sauerbrey, Chairperson of the Tioga County Legislature. “The success of Tioga Downs is personal, because it means jobs and opportunity for the people of Tioga County. We have been part of the effort to bring Tioga Downs forward and celebrate the success it has brought. Congratulations to Tioga Downs, Jeff Gural and all of the Tioga Downs team!”
“The opening of the full casino has given many of our residents
the opportunity for employment in an organization that is a great employer, and
truly gives back to the community. The residents of the Village of Nichols are
looking forward to many years of success from Tioga Downs. Jeff Gural, with his
vision and great staff, are continuing to bring jobs and economic viability to
not only the village, town, and Tioga County but to the entire Southern Tier.
Jeff Gural is without a doubt one of those rare individuals that sincerely
cares not only for those that frequent Tioga Downs, but also the community that
surrounds Tioga Downs” said Lesley Pelotte, Mayor of the Village of Nichols.
Tioga Downs and the Gural family have also
continued to be major philanthropic contributors. Since Tioga Downs opened, Mr.
Gural has donated several million dollars to charity, and intends to donate $1
million from his foundation to local charities each year in the future.
