Vernon Downs

As tastes changed in the late 20th century, and there was increased competition from the Meadowlands Racetrack and others who paid larger purses.

Beginning in the 1980s, Native American tribes began to establish bingo halls on their reservations and later, gaming casinos to generate revenues.

[3] After receiving a new license, Vernon Downs added simulcast harness racing, on which bets could be placed, and video gaming.

They complain of having to compete with the Turning Stone Casino and Resort of the Oneida Indian Nation, which does not have to collect state taxes on its sovereign land.

The Nation does pay a portion of its revenues to the state under a gaming compact, essentially in lieu of taxes, as well as making donations and contributions to regional communities.

[6] The start of the track season was delayed when owner Jeff Gural again cited competition from Turning Stone and Yellow Brick Road Casino in Chittenango and there were plans to close the facilities in the fall of 2017.

[11] In 1950, a one half mile clay oval on the premises hosted two Grand National Series (now NASCAR Cup) events, which were won respectively by racing pioneers Bill Blair and Dick Linder.