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Batavia Daily News for Friday: Call it Batavia Downs... Casino...?

By Philip Anselmo

Tom Rivers reports in today's Daily News that Batavia Downs will now be known as Batavia Downs Casino following a change of heart among the state's lottery regulators. Further, "video gaming machines" will no be re-dubbed "slots." Rivers explains:

Lottery and state legislators have eased their restraint in using terms "casino" and "slots" to describe the activities and games in the race tracks, which are now filled with beeping and flashing machines that resemble Vegas slots.

What does this mean for the business? Apparently, a lot.

"The word 'casino' is more representative of our business," said Martin Biniasz, the Downs marketing director. "It's a wise move on the state's part because they realize these machines can be a great revenue generator."

Biniasz goes on to say that the new name will allow them to better compete with Native American casinos.


In other news, Scott DeSmit covered yesterday's fire at My T Acres in Batavia, which was featured on The Batavian yesterday and this morning. The Batavian will also be posting an interview with My T Acres co-owner Patricia Riner later this afternoon.

We encourage you to pick up a copy of the Daily News at your local newsstand. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

Brian Hillabush

Ha. I've never been a fan of the drinking games. Even in college I was more chill. I'll be excited if they get poker and blackjack. That would be a lot of fun.

Dec 5, 2008, 4:05pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

I think its great that the way the economy is going that people still have the money to gamble. Most people complain about prices, paychecks, and where the government spends our taxes but its entertaining to know that people are still willing to gamble in small hopes of getting ahead. I guess people think that when you lose the profits go right back to the economy and help everyone. So its a win/win thing lets all gamble !
Three card monte anyone ?

Dec 5, 2008, 8:17pm Permalink
mike seagol

I don't think a company needs the word Casino in it's name to reflect what it is. It's about branding, if i asked you what the Bellagio or MGM Grand were chances are you know they are casinos in Las Vegas. For smaller towns just advertising locally and getting your name out or even on some <a href="http://www.onlinecasinobluebook.net/aboutus.html">online casino blog</a> to attract more guests.

Mar 13, 2009, 10:16am Permalink

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