Here comes Saratoga's casino

When the New York State casino gambling amendment passed last November, the next natural question was where would the casinos be located. Perhaps an even more natural question was will Saratoga Springs be home to one of those four upstate casinos?

This was on the heels of Saratoga Race Course celebrating its 150th anniversary last year. Is there enough gambling money to support both the track and a casino?

There is, of course, casino history in Saratoga as well. About the same time the Race Course was being built, one of its founders, John Morrisey also built the Saratoga Clubhouse in Congress Park. “Clubhouse” was Saratogian for “Casino.” A few years later Richard Canfield bought the place. The joint survived, successfully, as a gambling house into the early years of the 20^th Century, until the anti-gambling establishment forced the closing of several casinos, and, clubhouses too.

Sad, because Canfield Casino is a beautiful building. However these days it's used for events. The only gamble I ever had there was actually going to my high school prom when it was held there, but that's a story for another day.

One of the many reasons the anti-gambling folks came about in the first place is the seediness which came about as a result. Casino gambling is often not looked at as “acceptable” as its horse racing counterpart. The latter is the sport of kings. Casinos have a reputation for attracting people less likely to be in the Social Register.

Perhaps this is a bit unfair. There are very few places left where people flock to see the thoroughbreds as they do at the Spa. The New York Racing Association (when they are not raising all race track prices so they can give themselves hefty raises) I am sure would love to add even more days in Saratoga, at the expense of the tracks at Belmont and Aqueduct.

Businesses in Saratoga and beyond would not mind this a bit. They have long reaped the benefits of the successes of the Track. It's no secret prices skyrocket in late July and into August, especially in local hotels. Which is fine; this is how capitalism works.

Yet many of these same business owners are petrified at the thought of casinos coming in.

A group, Saratogians Against Vegas-style Expansion (SAVE), has been formed. They have signs are all over the city. Their website gives many compelling reasons to keep a casino out of Saratoga.

They are not alone in their feelings. Last fall almost 60% of voters in the town said no to the statewide casino amendment. And, let's not kid ourselves: while Governor Cuomo says right-wingers “have no place in the state of New York”, he feels casinos are more than welcome. And, now there are rumblings he might do his best to force them upon communities, even those who don't want them.

The state touts that the tax benefits will (allegedly) help lessen our school and property tax burden.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway would of course be the place which makes the most sense. It has already been expanded once, and, to these eyes, anyways, successfully. Prior to the racino makeover, what was once Saratoga Harness had fallen almost off the map. People rarely went there anymore, and about the only time it was in the news was when there were allegations of race fixing.

The only big crowds they drew were for outdoor concerts. I remember attending the Lollapalooza concert (Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, Breeders and L7) there in 1994. I doubt many of the huge crowd there ever once watched the trotters and pacers race there, or anywhere else for that matter.

Ironically enough, when huge shows such as Lollapalooza or SPAC concerts hit town, the local businesses thrive. However these same business owners are concerned the casinos will create an unfair playing field.

As anyone who has visited Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe or Atlantic City can attest, there are several side benefits, especially to the gambling addict. These include comped rooms at hotels and free drinks to those playing the tables or sitting at the machines. These are amenities private businesses can't offer.

The folks at SAVE are also concerned for the local business owners, and for the character of the city.

Would a casino change the flavor of downtown Saratoga? Of course it would. But, many argue, such a change is already underway. Over the past ten years national chains such as the GAP and Eddie Bauer have crept into the Broadway landscape. Even more recently, condo upon condo has been built downtown.

But, when all is said and done, I don't think anyone would argue a casino would do well in Saratoga. And, given the governor's history, if he wants it here, it will happen. Doesn't mean we will all benefit if it does, though.

Don't be surprised at all if Saratoga's welcome signs are amended soon to read "Health, History, Horses & High rollers." Whether we want it or not.

"Til next time, keep on smiling.