Saratoga Gaming and Raceway officially opened its expansion Friday. Participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony were Senator Joseph L. Bruno, Deputy Director of the New York State Lottery Susan E. Miller, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway President, Dan Gerrity, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Jamie Hartman, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Rita Cox.

"People travel from all over to experience the culture, entertainment, and history of Saratoga Springs, as well as the finest horse racing in the nation," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "This expansion project will widen Saratoga's lead at the head of the pack as a top tourist destination and ensure that visitors enjoy the newest technology in video gaming, great food, and exciting new entertainment options, along with the classic tradition of harness racing. I want to congratulate everyone who worked so hard to make this project a success."

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway has played a major role in tourism, as well as the economy of the Capital Region and the entire state," said Senator Hugh Farley. "This exciting expansion project will provide more jobs to Capital Region residents and ensure that visitors to the region have access to the very best in exciting horse racing, video gaming, fine dining and entertainment."

"Saratoga Gaming and Raceway's video gaming operations have generated more than $190,000,000 in aid to education to date -- $62,000,000 of that coming in the last fiscal year alone," said New York Lottery Director Robert J. McLaughlin, who was unable to attend. "The investment made here not only will help Saratoga boost its entertainment value in the eyes of our players, it also will help the Lottery boost its future aid to education contributions for the benefit of all New Yorkers."

"We are very excited about our expanded gaming floor, Vapor, and the Garden Buffet. Our players asked for more games, more dining options and more entertainment and our expansion provides this," said Daniel Gerrity, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway President. "It adds a new level of excitement to Saratoga Gaming and Raceway."

New York State's first video gaming facility, which opened in January of 2004, also announced more headlining acts scheduled to appear this summer in their new night club; Vapor. The two-story night club will host national and local acts such as: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on June 7, Gin Blossoms on July 6, KC & the Sunshine Band on July 12, TheOriginalFamilyStone (Founding Members and Alumni of Sly And The Family Stone) on July 26, and ABBA, The Tour on July 28. Tickets for these events can be purchased at Treasures, located within Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, online at SaratogaGamingandRaceway.com, or at Vapor the day of the show. Vapor is open Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and is open to those 21 and older.

The 45,000 square foot addition includes 431 more video gaming machines including a High Limit area. The new 325 seat Garden Buffet restaurant offers a variety of foods including a carving station, Italian, Asian, American, Mexican, and Sushi selections, a full salad bar and a dessert buffet. Open seven days a week starting at 11:00 a.m., the cost is $12.95 for lunch and $14.95 for dinner.

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway now boasts over 1,700 state-of-the-art video gaming machines, Vapor night club, two full-service restaurants with buffets, three full-service bars, food court and deli, gift shop, and a variety of guest services including valet parking and coat check. Patrons can participate in the tiered player rewards program, Player Extras Club, while visiting the property. The facility employs over 650 local residents. Video gaming and food and beverage operations at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway are managed by Delaware North Companies Inc., a leading hospitality and entertainment management group headquartered in Buffalo, NY.