by Ryan Hasenauer, Director of Marketing, WROTB/Batavia Downs Casino

Batavia, NY — Batavia Downs Casino is pleased to announce that their $27 million expansion has been approved by the New York State Lottery.

The expansion, which is slated to begin immediately, would make repairs to the roof, replace the facility’s neon sign with an energy efficient LED one and most notably, bring the facility’s second story gaming floor down to ground level.

The project is expected to be one of the largest construction projects in Western New York this year.

“We are pleased to begin this long anticipated project, “said Mike Kane, president of Western Regional Off-Track Betting and Batavia Downs Casino. “The construction will create jobs both during the building of our new facility and inside the casino once the expansion is completed. Since 2005, Batavia Downs Casino has contributed over $107 million to New York State education through the Lottery and over $71 million has been distributed to the 15 counties of Western New York and the two cities of Buffalo and Rochester.

“The expansion will add about 200 machines to the gaming floor, and we expect an increase in the yearly payments given back to the citizens of New York State.”

New restaurants will be added to the facility. The Tim Horton’s currently on the second floor would be expanded once it occupies its new space on the first floor. Batavia Downs Casino’s Ambassador will have his own space onsite as well. The Thurman Thomas sports bar will give local sports fans a new, unique place to cheer on their favorite teams while enjoying food, drink and local musical entertainment.

Batavia Downs is owned and operated by Western Regional Off-Track Betting, a public benefit corporation. Municipalities that own Batavia Downs Casino include: City of Buffalo, Cattaraugus County, Cayuga County, Chautauqua County, Erie County, Genesee County, Livingston County, Monroe County, Niagara County, Orleans County, Oswego County, City of Rochester, Schuyler County, Seneca County, Steuben County, Wayne County, and Wyoming County. The track is also home to Batavia Downs Casino, featuring over 600 video slot machines.

The 2012 live harness racing season begins on July 23 and concludes on Dec. 8.