New York theater coalition draws up plans with casino applicants

The developers' agreements with Fairgame describe the size and scope of the casino entertainment plans and detail joint booking agreements that would allow both the casinos and Fairgame members access to performers on tour.

Fairgame is a group of municipal and not-for-profit live entertainment venues, including the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, UPAC in Kingston and the Baradvon in Poughkeepsie. It formed last year to protect entertainment venues from unfair competition from casinos, according to a press release. Casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City offer shows and performers such as Cirque du Soleil and Donnie and Marie Osmond.

In a prepared statement, Fairgame Chairman Philip Morris said that the group was not able to reach agreements with a number of the casino applicants. Those are Penn National Gaming and Cordish Cos., partners in a project in South Blooming Grove; Saratoga Casino and Raceway in the Town of Newburgh; Mohegan Sun in Thompson; and Caesars Entertainment in Woodbury.

Fairgame hopes to continue conversations with those developers, according to a press release. Saratoga Casino and Raceway has its own noncompete agreements with local venues, said Rita Cox, senior vice president of marketing and external affairs.

Some of those venues include the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center in Sugar Loaf, the Paramount Theatre in Middletown and Just Off Broadway in the City of Newburgh, according to Saratoga.