State Senator Patty Ritchie is asking constituents what they think about Governor Andrew Cuomo’s suggestion that New York should take a look at legalizing Las Vegas-style casino gambling.

“Advocates of legalized casino gambling, including a group that wants to build a casino in Alexandria Bay in the Thousand Islands, say casinos will bring more tourists and create jobs,” Ritchie said. “Opponents worry about issues of problem gambling and its impact on families and communities.”

“Governor Cuomo wants to start a statewide discussion about how our state should regulate casino gambling and where we should allow it, if we allow it outside Native American reservations,” Ritchie said.

Ritchie's 48th District constituents -- in St. Lawrence County, in Ogdensburg and in the towns of Waddington, Madrid, Lisbon, Canton, Russell, Oswegatchie, DePeyster, DeKalb, Hermon, Edwards, Morristown, Macomb, Gouverneur, Fowler, Hammond and Rossie -- are directed to her web site at http://ritchie.nysenate.gov/ to express their opinions on the matter.

“If New York State is going to have a statewide dialogue about this very controversial issue, I think it’s critical for me to give my constituents an opportunity to participate by telling me whether they feel there’s a role for casino gambling in the Thousand Islands, whether the potential for new jobs and economic development outweighs the concerns about problem gambling, and what they think about casino gambling in the Thousand Islands region,” Ritchie said.

Beyond St. Lawrence County, Ritchie's district extends to Jefferson and Oswego counties.