Operator News
US – Rivers Casino off to a flyer in Schenectady County
By Phil - 21 February 2017
New York’s newly opened US$330m Rivers Casino in Schenectady County generated Gross Gaming Revenues of US$27.3m giving a profit of $3m in its first week of operation, according to the New York State Gaming Commission.
The new venue’s slots generated $23.1m, its tables produced $4.3m whilst its 15 poker tables produced $111,000.
“The first days of operation at Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady have been extremely successful, and we’re very pleased with feedback we’ve heard from our guests and the enthusiasm shown by the community,” a spokesperson said. “Our dedicated team members are continually making improvements to operations and the guest experience in these opening days, and the excitement exhibited by our guests continues to drive us to always provide a superior entertainment experience.”
The 50,000-square-foot gaming floor has opened with 1,142 slot machines, 67 gaming tables and 15 poker tables attached to a 165-room hotel and a 10,000-square-foot banquet facility capable of hosting up to 900 people for conventions and special events, one of the largest spaces in the region.
Rivers Casino & Resort employs 1,025 people with another 50 positions expected once the hotel and spa open later this year.
The opening is well in advance of the two-year timeline the New York State Gaming Commission allowed New York commercial casinos.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said: “The new Rivers Resort & Casino is a vital economic asset for the Capital Region, generating new jobs and opportunity, continuing Schenectady’s resurgence and moving the region forward. By supporting destination resorts across upstate New York, we are showing off the best of the Empire State while attracting new visitors, boosting tourism, and helping support and strengthen our local communities.”
Rivers Casino has opened just over 13 months from the approval of its license and just a few days after the anniversary of the facility’s ceremonial groundbreaking, which was held February 3, 2016.
Rush Street Gaming CEO Greg Carlin. “This is Rush Street Gaming’s fourth ground-up casino development. We look forward to being a great asset to the City and County of Schenectady, the Capital Region and the State of New York.”
Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy said: “We have been witness to a dramatic transformation this year, as Rivers Casino & Resort quickly rose from an under-utilised, industrial brownfield. The Schenectady waterfront was once the site of great prosperity for the city and the region as the home of the American Locomotive Company; with Rivers preparing to open its doors and put hundreds of people to work, that time has come again.”
The casino will take full advantage of its riverfront location with outdoor patios and pre-function spaces.
It is located adjacent to a new mixed-use Mohawk Harbor development currently under construction by the Galesi Group, which constitutes an additional $150m investment in the 60-acre riverfront property. The mix of residential, retail and commercial space will include a 124-room Courtyard by Marriott and a 50-slip harbor on the Mohawk River and Erie Canal.
Rush Street estimates that Rivers will attract 2.8m visitors per year. In total, the four commercial casinos, del Lago, Tioga Downs, Montreign and Rivers, are expected to produce $325m in gaming tax.
The del Lago Resort and Casino located in the Finger Lakes region reported GGR of $3,317,758 in its first week and $3,019,277 in its second week whilst Tioga Downs Casino, which opened at the start of December generated $827,539 in its opening week with a weekly peak of $1,517,348.
