By Howard Koplowitz
Nearly four months after he reopened the bidding process to install video lottery terminals at Aqueduct Race Track, Gov. David Paterson said he is unsure when a decision will be made as to who will win the contract.
Paterson told a news conference Saturday at the Travers Stakes in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., that all the bids had been submitted and the contenders’ financial statements had been scrutinized, but he was still waiting on advice on which bidder to select, according to the Albany Times Union.
The governor said after he meets with his advisers he will go through the bids with state Senate President Pro Tempore Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) and state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan), who along with Paterson are responsible for making the decision on the VLTs, the paper reported.
Meanwhile, one of the finalists for the VLT contract, SL Green/Hard Rock Entertainment, was scheduled to present its bid to the Queens Chamber of Commerce Thursday in Jackson Heights.
Other finalists include Aqueduct Gaming LLC, a group led by Buffalo-based Delaware North; Wynn Resorts; and MGM Grand at Aqueduct.
Paterson reopened the bidding process to redevelop Aqueduct and outfit the Ozone Park track with 4,500 VLTs in April after Buffalo-based Delaware North won the contract in October.
But the financial downturn caused Delaware North to rescind its bid because it could not pay the $370 million up-front payment it promised the state.
Aqueduct Gaming said late last month that gaming company Harrah’s was added to its team.
Delaware North President William Bissett said the addition of Harrah’s could mean an extra 10 percent in tax revenue for the state over the previous estimate if Aqueduct Gaming is selected for the contract.
“We’re very excited about the prospect of joining forces with Aqueduct Gaming in aligning the gaming industry’s premier customer-loyalty program with this storied New York racetrack,” said David Norton, Harrah’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, in a statement.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
