Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to reopen the bidding for casino licenses in upstate New York to allow for a Las Vegas-style casino in the state’s “economically ailing” Southern Tier.

The move comes after developers and elected officials in the region complained bitterly after a state casino panel awarded three casinos to other regions — but balked at awarding a license to the Southern Tier.

In a letter sent Friday to the Gaming Commission and its location board, Cuomo says legal authority remains for a fourth license. Earlier this month, the board approved three new casinos for the Catskills, Schenectady and the Finger Lakes region — passing over two proposals in the Southern Tier.

In his letter, Cuomo writes that the Gaming Facility Location Board should set up a bidding process for a fourth casino in the Southern Tier “as expeditiously as possible.”

Tioga Downs is considered the front runner for the license. The Nichols, New York racino was one of two Southern Tier applicants. Developers behind the other proposal, Traditions in Broome County, announced last week that they would support Tioga’s project if bidding were reopened.

“The intent of the law was that the Southern Tier would get a license,” said Tioga Downs owner Jeffrey Gural. “I think the governor recognized that with the fourth license still available there was an opportunity.”

Kevin Law, the chairman of the location board, had said a fourth available license had been withheld after the board considered market saturation and the effect the added competition would have on other gambling facilities.

On Monday, the Gaming Commission acknowledged receipt of Cuomo’s letter. A spokesman declined to respond when asked if there is a timeline for the awarding of a fourth license.

“We have received the letter and are reviewing it,” spokesman Lee Park said.

Until his letter, Cuomo had insisted he would leave the decisions on where to place casinos to the board. Earlier this month he said: “My position is very simple. We set up a process that has a separate board making the decisions, weighing all the factors … It’s up to them. It is all up to them.”

It’s possible other bidders could emerge, but Gural said he doesn’t know of any interested parties.

“Anything is possible,” he said. “I’m not going to rule it out.”

(AP)