In a letter distributed to Texas lawmakers today, Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform again threw his support behind gaming as an alternative to tax increases next session.

After citing all the federal tax increases likely to come down the pike next year, Norquist wrote, “The benefits of incorporating the gaming industry into the Texas economic portfolio are too significant to ignore.  Not only would it be preferable to job-killing tax increases, it would actually lead to job creation.”

Norquist’s complete letter can be found here.

Copyright January 12, 2012, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved

By Kenneth Lovett / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

ALBANY — It’s a winner!

Aqueduct’s racino brought in more money in the two short months since it opened at the Queens racetrack than five upstate outfits each banked all last year, the Daily News has learned.

The virtual casino netted nearly $90 million in revenue between Oct. 28 and Dec. 31, according to data provided to The News by the state Lottery division.

Of the eight other racinos operating in New York, only those in Yonkers, Saratoga and the Finger Lakes did better — but they were open all year long.

“Their opening numbers are just really impressive,” an admiring official from a competing racino said of Aqueduct.

“I’m sure some of that is the curiosity and wow factor.”

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver noted that Aqueduct has many more video slots and table games than the state’s other racinos and benefits from the city’s 8.3 million population.

“The upstate facilities have a more limited market,” Silver said.

Even so, every racino showed an increase last year.

In all, the combined racino revenue was $1.26 billion, up 15.8% from 2010.

The upswing comes as Gov. Cuomo pushes a constitutional amendment to legalize full-blown casino gambling in New York.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/aqueduct-bet-pays-big-time-90-million-2-months-article-1.1003139#ixzz1jMDyDc3D