Developers competing to build a casino near Binghamton claim that this Southern Tier city has been listed among the most depressed, obese, pessimistic and fastest-shrinking in the nation.

It may seem odd for backers of the Traditions resort to highlight locallowlightsto the state officials who will soon choose upstate casino sites. But a big goal of New York's gambling expansion is to bring jobs to upstate areas that need them the most. Casino applicants like Traditions are promoting not only their ability to make money with a local casino, but also how badly it is needed. A state commission could award up to four casinos licenses in the Southern Tier/Finger Lakes region and two other upstate regions within weeks. Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
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