Aqueduct Racino Pulls In $90 Million In Two Months

The pathway to economic prosperity is paved in cherries and 7's (Nicole Woszczyna/Gothamist)

How much is a crushing pall of slot machine-induced sadness in Queens worth? $90 million over two months, to be exact. The Daily News reports that's what the Aqueduct racino earned from October 28 through December 31, making more than five upstate racinos did all year. As any compulsive gambler knows, the only thing to do when you're on a winning streak that can't possibly be stopped is to double down.

"Their opening numbers are really impressive," an official from a competing racino told the paper. "I'm sure some of that is the curiosity and wow factor." That "wow factor" is exactly what Governor Cuomo is hoping will sustain the planned $4 billion convention center and casino at the Queens Aqueduct Racetrack. Lukewarm convention industry-economy be damned: people WILL show up for Pai Gow Poker.

Cuomo's recommendation for an amendment to the state's constitution to legalize gambling (he told Azi Paybarah today that he'll "push very hard" for it) comes as the combined racino revenue shot up by 15.8%, or $1.26 billion from 2010. And fewer New Yorkers are choosing to exercise their vices alone, as Lotto revenue was down 4.6% from last year.

However, we would have recommended that Governor Cuomo actually visit the Queens racino before pitching the casino/convention center. We hear the plastic drums of flammable liquid wrapped in cellophane go great with video poker.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Christopher Robbins in News on January 9, 2012 11:35 AM

Comments [rss]

Big_Al72

I've actually been there. It's nicer than you might think.

Guest

Is Aqueduct Racino the name of the grey-haired woman in front of the picture or the fist-in-the-screen-MF right behind her?

Kimberley Truelove

That photo will never get old.

krinklecutfires

This seems like a great idea so that those in NY can finally feel the warm glow of success and stability only felt in places like Atlantic City, Reno, and Vegas. Thanks Cuomo...

ToastNYC

We should legalize drug and prostitution, too! Deficit will be gone in no time!

GentleGiant

Who needs teeth when you can be playing the slots!

luke_1

Ah regressive taxation! Fleecing the poor is too easy. Disgusting.

Roark

And once they build a hotel right there, then it'll really step up with the sleaze cause the escorts will start to set up shop.

edgie168

that might be a good thing

Roark

Not for people that live adjacent to there.
That kind of thinking is like the people that say, "Oh New York in the 80s was so much better than in the 50s or now."
To which the reality is no, it fucking sucked, having to run around corners in the opposite direction of home to avoid getting the shit kicked out me was no fun at all. And that doesn't even touch on the issue of neighborhoods, cultures, and people completely decimated by the issues of crime in those years.
Of course maybe you don't give a crap about that - but hey then it just comes down to the simple fact of life:
If god exists it ain't me you or anyone.