MGM Mirage to build slot casino in NY

June 16

We love to gamble online. Online gambling is booming, but occasionally we all like to get out to the track and land casinos. If you live in Queens, this is going to be made easy for you.

MGM Mirage signed the final paperwork to build and operate a casino at the Aqueduct horse track in Queens, NY. The casino will coat a reported $170 million to build and is scheduled to open  around June 2006.

This deal has been in the works for more than 2 years. Many unexpected issues slowed the process down quite a bit, causing us all to wait it out and visit our favorite online gambling Internet sites instead.

Last year, an appeals court shot-down a law from 2001 that would permit slot machine earnings to go to breeders and prizes at tracks. Two months ago, Gov. Pataki passed a bill making way for slot machines at the state's racetracks. The bill has slot earnings going to tracks, breeders, horsemen and the state itself. Many say that the state will gain most of the income from the slots. This, being the main reason the bill was passed in the first place.

MGM Mirage says that the casino will have 4,500 video lottery terminals - a form of slot.

State regulators still need to approve the casino deal and are expected to do so.