The end of New York’s legislative session brought with it a green light for a video lottery terminal in Orange County. Legislation allows the transfer of a license from the now closed Monticello operation in Sullivan County to a new site in Woodbury.
Democratic state Senator James Skoufis says the new facility is prohibited from receiving tax breaks and will have to remediate the contaminated site where it will operate — the Nepera Chemical Plant property. Empire Resorts, the parent company of the Resorts World Catskills, shut down its gaming operation at Monticello Raceway in April, though harness racing continues. State Senator Jen Metzger and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, both Democrats, say the legislation commits Resorts World to preserving at least 1,473 full-time jobs at the Catskills casino. The legislation will also require a full restoration of impact aid to Sullivan County, Town of Thompson, and Village of Monticello that was lost with the closure of the Monticello racino.
