By Howard Koplowitz
Two down, one to go.
Democratic state Senate Conference Leader John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) endorsed Genting NY’s plan for the Aqueduct video lottery terminal contract Tuesday, inching the company closer to the approval it needs to officially be awarded the deal.
“The acceptance of Genting puts New York on the fast track to rebuild our local and state economy through sound economic development and immediate and long-term job creation,” Sampson said in a statement.
All that awaits is the blessing of state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan). Gov. David Paterson has said he approves of Genting NY, a subsidiary of the Malaysian-based Genting Malaysia Berhad.
Sen. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn), chairman of the Senate Racing, Wagering & Gaming Committee, said he was “extremely excited” by Genting’s bid, which was recommended for approval by the state Lottery Division last week in a letter the agency wrote to Gov. David Paterson.
Adams’ committee heard Genting’s plan Monday.
Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), a member of the committee that represents the area around Aqueduct, said Genting satisfied any concerns he had over the project.
“I walked away from that meeting getting what I needed,” he said. “I think we have to show our residents through our state government that we can make a decision on the magnitude of this level.”
While the request for proposals issued by the state Lottery Division only called for 4,500 VLTs, Adams noted the Senate passed a bill two years ago allowing table games at VLT locations and asked Genting if it would be amenable to table games at Aqueduct.
“If we have a more full casino … we become more attractive in pulling people in,” said Genting spokesman Jay Walker.
Walker noted that table games were not part of the bid and they are not needed for the project to be successful.
SL Green/Hard Rock and Penn National Gaming were disqualified by the Lottery last month after the two bidders chose not to conform to the request for proposal process, the agency said.
The process to select a winning VLT bidder had been derailed twice in the last three years.
Buffalo-based Delaware North was selected for the contract in November 2007, but that deal fell through after the company could not deliver the $370 million upfront payment it promised the state.
Aqueduct Entertainment Group won the contract earlier this year, but the Lottery refused to grant the consortium a gaming license, which led to another round of bidding for the project.
“I think the people of the state have waited too long … and I think we cannot continue to be undecided,” Adams said during the hearing in Albany. “I think it’s imperative that the state moves forward.”
Adams said the Aqueduct project “is an entertainment destination where New Yorkers could no longer continue to eat the crumbs off the table of other ventures,” referring to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut and Atlantic City.
Genting NY, a subsidiary of the Malaysian-based Genting Malaysia Berhad — a multibillion-dollar, multinational corporation — said if its plans are approved by Paterson and legislative leaders, it can be up and running with 1,600 of the 4,500 VLTs within six months of construction.
The company said the remaining VLTs could become operational a year into construction along with a planned food court, restaurants and a parking garage.
The full project would be completed in 18 months, the agency told the committee, which includes complete exterior improvements to Aqueduct’s facade and a skybridge linking the A train station to the facility.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
