Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Aqueduct Racino Pulls In $90 Million In Two Months
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 9, 2012
Modified Jan 9, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Nicole Woszczyna/Gothamist
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 9, 2012
Modified Jan 9, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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.
Tagged
andrew cuomo
Aqueduct Racetrack
governor cuomo
legalized gambling
monorail
queens racino
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
City attorneys allege the firm said its clients were injured by defective city streets or sidewalks when in reality they were hit by cars or banged up in fights.
By
Walter Wuthmann
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .