VERONA, N.Y. — The Oneida Indian Nation’s leader says patrons have returned in modest numbers to its casinos since reopening in June as the organization continues pandemic protocols to prevent spread of the coronavirus.

Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation representative and Nation Enterprises CEO, also contends the organization has a role as an “economic engine” in Central New York to keep its gaming facilities moving forward, noting that the Oneida Nation has invested millions in the region in recent years.

Operations in 2020

The Oneida Nation operates Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, Point Place Casino in the Bridgeport area of the town of Sullivan in Madison County, and Yellow Brick Road (YBR) Casino in Chittenango.

The facilities reopened June 10 after being shut down since March 16 to combat the spread of COVID-19. 

“We’ve seen a decent response to our openings. I can’t tell you it’s overwhelming … but it’s allowed us to do reasonably well in our operations,” says Halbritter, who spoke with CNYBJ on Oct. 2.

The Oneida Indian Nation in May announced it had developed a reopening health and safety plan titled “Safer Together,” which adopts the “best practices” from gaming and hospitality venues throughout the world.

The Oneida Nation won’t offer concerts or shows in the showroom or event center until mass gatherings are permitted “without undue risk.” 

The organization is also requiring face coverings for employees, guests, vendors, and the public — “wherever feasible” throughout our facilities. 

It’s also requiring gloves for all employees who are working in direct contact with guests, including in all restaurants, at registration desks and on the gaming floors.

CNYBJ asked Halbritter what went through his mind in mid-March when it became apparent that the region would be dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. 

“It was something that was, at first, hard to believe that we were facing an issue that could potentially close our businesses, which we just never would’ve imagined,” says Halbritter. 

Health and safety of employees, customers, and patrons “drove all of our decision making … that was what we had to take care of,” he adds.

Before announcing plans to temporarily close its casinos, the Oneida Nation announced that all full-time employees of its assortment of enterprises would get two additional weeks of coronavirus-related paid time off “to help them deal with the unprecedented disruption.”

When asked what the Oneida Indian Nation is projecting for revenue generation during this pandemic-affected year, Halbritter notes that its operations were closed down for a quarter of the year and that the Oneida Nation was “impacted like everyone was impacted.”

“I’m not in a position to discuss any kind of numbers, but we’re doing our best and we’re thankful that we’re open and we’re going to continue to be open as long as circumstances allow us to keep the safety of the general public and our employees intact,” he added. 

Recent capital projects

Over the last seven years, the Oneida Indian Nation has been active in development projects in Central New York. The activity has included capital projects totaling more than $325 million and creating more than 1,500 jobs, along with investing more than $1.1 billion in New York vendors, per an Oneida Indian Nation document detailing its activity. 

The Hayner Hoyt Corporation of Syracuse handled all these capital projects, according to Halbritter. 

The projects include the 2013 development of Exit 33 at Turning Stone, an entertainment and nightlife complex with several themed restaurants and cocktail lounges. 

The construction of YBR Casino & Sports Book in Chittenango is a project that spanned both 2014 and 2015. It was aimed at “revitalizing” an underdeveloped shopping plaza, the Oneida Nation contends. YBR is short for Yellow Brick Road, named to coincide with Chittenango’s connection to the movie “The Wizard of Oz” as the birthplace of story author L. Frank Baum.

A few years later, the Oneida Nation announced the building of Point Place Casino in Bridgeport area of Sullivan along with the construction of three Maple Leaf Markets in Sherrill, Chittenango, and Sylvan Beach. Those projects occurred between 2017 and 2018.

When asked what prompted the Point Place Casino project, Halbritter says, “It was to bring gaming opportunity a little closer to a demographic up in that region. We took a look at the demographics and we thought that would be an opportunity for us that we thought was worthy of our investment.” 

The projects also included Commons at Turning Stone in 2018, featuring four new boutiques with contemporary men’s and women’s apparel and jewelry.

In 2019, the Oneida Indian Nation also announced the 19,400-square-foot expansion at YBR Casino & Sports Book to include the Lanes, a six-lane luxury bowling center and Topgolf Swing Suite. 

The Oneida Nation’s most-recent projects included construction of the Lake House at Sylvan Beach, its newest gaming and dining venue, which opened in July.

When asked about how the Oneida Indian Nation financed those projects, Halbritter said the organization has borrowed to help finance its projects with a “coalition” of lenders, although he wouldn’t name any specific bank that has been a lender. 

“It works really well. It’s such a great relationship. The financial institutions do well. We do well,” he notes.

As for any significant projects that  the Oneida Nation might be considering, Halbritter would only say, “We always have something in discussion, but it’s too early to discuss publicly.”    

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com

NICHOLS, N.Y. — Tioga Downs Casino Resort has released the details of its “We’re a Safe Bet!” health and safety plan designed to protect the well-being of both customers and employees. 

The casino resort was among the state-approved casinos that reopened Sept. 9 with its hotel facility reopening on Sept. 11. The facilities reopened with a 25-percent occupancy limit.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo provided the guidance for the state-approved casinos to reopen the previous week. 

Along with standard social-distancing procedures, Tioga Downs Casino Resort says it has been working with health-care experts and medical-grade cleaning professionals to develop the “We’re a Safe Bet!” plan. It includes protocols and regulations that it contends “go above and beyond” state-mandated requirements to ensure that patrons at the venue can return “safely and responsibly.”

Pandemic safety plan

Under the plan, all employees and guests will have their temperatures checked before entering the property and will be required to wear a mask at all times.

In addition, all employees have to pass a COVID-19 antibody test or COVID-19 viral test before returning to work.

All employees received training from the regional safety & risk officer on COVID-19 safety and sanitation protocols.

Tioga Downs also installed an air-plasma generator and ultraviolet duct system to “constantly purify air and reduce microorganisms and pollutants by more than 99 percent across the facility,” per its news release.

Air filters have been upgraded to MERV-13 in accordance with state-government guidance.

In addition, 15 medical-grade air-purification units have been placed throughout the facility, which produce 99.99 percent aggregate removal of particles down to 0.007 microns.

Tioga Downs says it has also put a “specially trained safety ambassadors” team in place to “ensure compliance and to properly clean and disinfect all areas.”

Tioga Downs operations

Tioga Downs announced that “initially,” the casino will operate about 350 slots while the poker room, tables games, and simulcast will remain closed until further notice.

The FanDuel Sportsbook, Coasters Sports Bar, Java G’s Café, and P.J. Clarke’s Restaurant also opened at Tioga Downs and will operate under New York State guidelines. 

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com