in the whole slots nonsense. Just wake me when they're done.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/110742.html

Bizarre turn in Aqueduct casino selection
By Matt Hegarty
The controversy surrounding the selection of Aqueduct Entertainment Group to operate a casino at Aqueduct racetrack took a bizarre turn on Thursday when one of the three leaders who made the selection called for the state's Inspector General to investigate the selection process.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Democrat, made the request on Thursday, according to state officials. Along with Gov. David Paterson and Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson, Silver made the selection of Aqueduct Entertainment Group to be the casino operator two weeks ago.

In response to Silver's request, Gov. Paterson said in a statement Thursday night that his office would welcome the investigation and would make public "all documents germane to the selection process, including all submissions, bids and solicitation."

The statement referenced Silver's role in 2008 for selecting Delaware North Cos. to operate the casino. Silver made the selection that year with Gov. Eliot Spitzer and Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno. Spitzer later resigned in a sex scandal, Bruno was convicted in December on two felony federal corruption charges, and the Delaware North deal fell apart early in 2009, necessitating a new selection.

"In 2008, Speaker Silver along with Gov. Spitzer and Senator Bruno was one of the architects of the process by which a [casino] operator would be selected by the state, a process that grants equal statutory authority, responsibility and accountability to the Speaker, the Temporary President of the Senate, and the Governor," the statement said. "Since then, the speaker has been involved in the selection of two [casino] operators, including his full endorsement of AEG last month."

The selection of AEG has become a lightning rod because of political considerations and the hundreds of millions of dollars that are at stake in the contract. Most gambling analysts believe that the Aqueduct casino will generate at least $500 million in net revenue a year, and the operator is entitled to 30 percent.

AEG was picked over four other bidders. Slot machines were first authorized at Aqueduct in 2001, but a casino has yet to open.