Electronic blackjack arrives at New York racing venues.
New York to Soon Have Three Full-Scale Resort Casinos
New York is about to host at least three big casino resorts at different locations in its upstate region, as part of the ongoing casino expansion in the northeastern United States.
Many of the existing racetrack casinos in the state are set to add new games to their offerings, which could reduce the difference between them and the "full-scale" casinos more than expected.
Several racetrack casinos in New York have already introduced electronic blackjack machines into their mix, thanks to a provision in the state budget that was passed on April 1.
Racinos Adding Electronic Blackjack Machines
Both Resorts World Casino in Queens and Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway have recently added some electronic blackjack machines. Resorts World Casino currently has 60 machines in operation, with more than 300 planned in the coming months.
"Video blackjack is an extremely popular game around the world, and we are incredibly excited to expand and enhance our unrivaled gaming offerings for the millions of guests we welcome every year," said Ryan Eller, president of Resorts World New York City.
The games feature a virtual dealer on a video screen, similar in many ways to playing online blackjack at the casino. The state approved these games in hopes that they would generate additional revenue.
"It's a game that has been asked of by the public," said Lee Park, a spokesperson for the New York Gaming Commission.
Meanwhile, Empire City Casino began offering its first two machines on Saturday, with an additional dozen on Tuesday. They hope to eventually have as many as 200 terminals, a number that could grow to 500 over time.
"Every day on the floor I get a question," said Ryan Munroe, operations floor manager at Empire City. "Now I have somewhere to send them."
Empire City is marketing the games as "nearly identical to the live versions, but [offering] better odds with 3 to 2 payouts." This likely refers to the trend at many casinos in Atlantic City and Las Vegas to offer just 6-5 payouts for blackjacks, a change that greatly increases the house edge.
But Not All Racinos Can Offer Blackjack
Most other racetrack casinos in New York are also planning to offer electronic games, with Monticello Raceway already having three electronic blackjack machines and one electronic Three Card Poker table. Saratoga Casino and Raceway has also started offering electronic blackjack.
However, not all of the racetrack casinos in the state will be allowed to provide these games. Batavia Downs, Buffalo Raceway, and Finger Lakes, which are all located in western New York, won't be able to include these games because they are within the exclusive zone enjoyed by the Seneca Nation of Indians, which runs three casinos in the region.
While many of the racetrack casinos already offered games like craps, roulette, and sic bo in electronic form, the new rules now allow games with a skill element to be presented in the same way.
The new offerings might help these locations remain competitive as more casino resorts open in the state over the years.
Three locations have been recommended for licenses in New York − one in the Finger Lakes, one in Schenectady, and one in the Catskills.
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Source: www.casino.org
