One legislator called it a “no-brainer,” and the voting certainly reflected that thinking on Monday.
The Nassau County Legislature voted 17-1 to approve the land lease agreement with Las Vegas Sands.
“This is the first hurdle overcome for a world-class entertainment center with a luxury spa and resort,” County Executive Laura Curran said in a statement. “It will create thousands of jobs and economic prosperity for Nassau County. I am very proud of the vote.”
As a result, Sands will acquire the land currently occupied by Nassau Coliseum as the company aims to build a $4 billion New York casino, resort, and entertainment venue.
Large lease given the green light by Nassau Region Legislature
A month ago, Nassau County officials agreed to a 99-year deal with Sands. The company will pay $54 million upfront if it obtains a license for one of the three downstate New York casinos.
The agreement primarily focuses on local investments. For example, Sands will annually pay $5 million for the county land. The rent will increase to $10 million if Sands obtains a casino license. Additionally, once the casino opens, Sands would pay an additional $25 million for the first three years. After three years, the payments would increase to $50 million.
The county police department would receive $1.8 million from Sands, and surrounding areas would also receive revenue payments.
According to Blakeman, a Sands NY casino would generate over $100 million in annual revenue for Nassau County municipalities and schools.
Still lots of hurdles remaining for Sands NY on line casino
As pointed out by Blakeman’s statement, other hurdles still lie in the way of a Sands casino.
For example, a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) must first review the application and assess local support. If there is sufficient support, the CAC may recommend the project for approval. Then, the Gaming Facility Location Board will review and potentially recommend Sands for licensing.
Finally, the New York State Gaming Commission will carefully review all details and make the final determination. As NYSGC chair Brian O’Dwyer stated in a recent commission meeting, any recommended proposal “will not be rubberstamped by this commission… And we will be very, very careful to ensure that, once again, the casinos are operated with the greatest integrity.”
Additionally, there is the matter of Hofstra University. The institution has filed a civil complaint alleging that the Nassau County Planning Commission violated the state’s Open Meeting Law when it approved the 99-year lease.
According to the complaint, the “string of mishandled putative public meetings” deprived Hofstra and the public “an opportunity to debate serious issues with far-reaching negative consequences for the community.”
First appearances regarding this matter will be heard by a Superior Court judge on Wednesday.
Sands still positive for possible NY on line casino
Despite the remaining obstacles, they have not shaken Sands from its optimism for a casino resort in the area.
“The approval granted today by the Nassau County legislature is a crucial step in our company’s efforts to obtain a New York gaming license and ultimately create a world-class hospitality, entertainment, and gaming destination,” Sands CEO Robert Goldstein stated in a declaration.
He then added:
“We have held over 300 community meetings and are proud of the widespread support we have built with our new neighbors throughout Long Island.”
Grant Lucas is the senior managing editor for PlayNY. A longtime, award-winning sports writer, Grant has covered gambling and legal sports betting since 2018 when he began reporting on the New Jersey and Pennsylvania industries. He currently oversees PlayNY as New York expands legalized gambling to include sports betting and online casino gaming.
