By Hank Russell
At the March 29 LIMBA (Long Island Metro Business Action) meeting at the Candlelight Diner in Commack, Tracey Edwards, Sands Casino New York’s corporate responsibility officer, spoke about the proposed casino and entertainment hub that is slated to be built near Nassau Coliseum. While there seemed to be benefits to this project, some expressed concerns regarding the effects it may have on the local community.
According to Edwards, the project will consist of a casino, a high-end hotel, concert hall, spa, retail establishments, five-star restaurants and a concierge who would recommend local restaurants around the area. She said this would not be “a regional casino,” but rather” an integrated resort” that will be a driver for Long Island tourism.
“This is a unique opportunity [for Long Island],” Edwards said. “We have to get out of our own way to fight to get this opportunity for Long Island.”
The project will create 8,000 construction jobs “from beginning to end,” Edwards said. Once the project is completed, Sands will employ 6,500 people with a minimum starting salary of $70,000. She emphasized that Sands looks out for its workers; when the COVID lockdown took place, Sands Las Vegas continued to pay the employees’ salaries, including any tips they would have received. In addition, Sands is one of the few employers that provides onsite childcare for its employees’ children.
The new casino and resort will help reduce unemployment, Edwards said, adding that it will reduce the effect that unemployment has on the community. “The best way to make sure that it won’t be a negative impact on the community is a job,” she said.
As for the economic benefits for the island, Edwards said that Sands is committed to providing $50 million a year to Nassau County, $25 million to Suffolk County and $10 million to the Town of Hempstead.
Despite strong opposition from one of the local universities — she didn’t say which one — Edwards said other colleges have worked together with Sands to provide employee training programs “because they see the value so we can hire those who live here on Long Island,” she said, adding that there will be 150 job categories available. She also announced that Nassau County Community College entered into a memorandum of understanding to be a training hub for future employees.
“The opposition isn’t growing,” she said. “The opposition is still the same when we first started and the support for this is growing more and more and more.”
Edwards was asked how the proposed casino would mitigate any traffic on Hempstead Turnpike. She said she is conferring with a working group to work outthe logistics. Another issue was the possibility of drugs, crime and sex trafficking impacting the communities. She said she met with the Sands group in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and they talked about “what worked” that could “uplift the community.” In addition, she has spoken with Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder to see “what he needs, not just in the community but inside the casino.”
On the issue of problem gambling, she said she has met with the Family & Children’s Association to address this issue and how they can help those with their addiction. She also pointed out that most of the problem gambling occurs online. It impacts the younger people because they can log online and not present the proper identification like one would to enter a brick-and-mortar casino.
There are three gaming licenses remaining, with two already being granted by the New York State Gaming Commision — one to a casino project in Queens and another in Yonkers. The licenses will be issued at the end of next year. When one of the attendees asked what would happen if they are not granted the license, she said, “We have committed to build something there, even if we don’t get the gaming license.” But, “without the casino, there would be a drastically reduced revenue stream.”