Delaware North wins deal on New York casino

ALBANY, New York -- As reported by The Buffalo News: "Delaware North, a privately held Buffalo company, will get the rights to develop and run the only legal casino in New York City, after the Republican-led State Senate approved the deal yesterday.

"The company will build and run a casino with 4,500 slot machines at Aqueduct Racetrack, which will add 1,200 jobs in Queens and another 50 at its Buffalo headquarters. The state will receive upwards of $1 million in annual slot revenue after the casino is completed in 15 months.

"A stalemate at the Capitol was broken when Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos backed the Delaware North bid following support from a key Queens Senate Republican, Serpin Maltese, who represents the track. Maltese had raised objections about the Delaware North bid because it was not sweeping enough in its plans to make the casino a destination- type resort.

"Gov. David A. Paterson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver recently approved the Delaware North bid. But backing by Skelos was needed, and Skelos aides Wednesday said he now agrees with the Buffalo firm's selection..."