Monticello Casino & Raceway Generated Over $2.1 Million in June for Education
MONTICELLO, N.Y., June 11, 2012 — Monticello Casino & Raceway operated by Empire Resorts, Inc.’s (“Empire”) wholly owned subsidiary. Monticello Raceway Management, Inc. (“MRMI”) continues to generate important funding for education, according to data available on the New York State Division of Lottery’s website.
In the month of June, Monticello Casino & Raceway’s VGM operations generated over $2.1 million dollars for education. To put this amount into perspective: New York State Department of Labor data indicates that the average annual salary for elementary and secondary school teachers in New York is $69,729. Based upon this data, Monticello Casino & Raceway’s operations in June produced funding to support the annual salary of more than 30 teachers’ jobs.
“Educating our children and keeping property taxes under control are important to all New Yorkers,” said Empire Resorts’ CEO Joseph D’Amato. “Empire and MRMI are proud of the significant funding we generate every month for New York State education.”
New York Gaming Association (“NYGA”) members, who operate New York’s nine racetrack casinos, together generated over $67.5 million for education in the month of June – the equivalent of over 970 teachers jobs. NYGA members pay over 47% of the net win from VGM operations to fund education which supports teachers’ salaries as well as educational programs for New York’s students.
In addition, $17.5 million was generated in support of racing. This funding supports family farms, the preservation of open space and over 4,700 jobs in the racing and breeding industry such as veterinarians, breeders, barn managers, trainers etc.
“New York State has come to rely on the nine racetrack casinos to generate millions for education and help to alleviate the burden of sky rocketing school property taxes and NYGA members consistently deliver,” James Featherstonhaugh, president of NYGA said. “When New York’s racetrack casinos win, New York’s students win.”
Since 2004, New York Gaming Association members have generated over $3.3 billion for education, over $715 million for the racing and breeding industry, over $170 million for local governments, and currently employ over 5,500 New Yorkers.
More information on Monticello Casino and Raceway is available at www.monticellocasinoandraceway.com and New York State Division of the Lottery data is available at www.nylottery.ny.gov.
The New York Gaming Association is comprised of the nine racetrack casinos located at harness and thoroughbred racing venues throughout the state. NYGA members include, Resorts World Casino New York at Aqueduct Racetrack, Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway, Saratoga Casino & Raceway, Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack, Empire Resorts/Monticello Casino & Raceway, Hamburg Casino at Buffalo Raceway, Tioga Downs Casino, Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel and Batavia Downs Casino.
