THE SANDS HAS MORE MONEY: Las Vegas Sands – the world’s richest casino operator in terms of revenue – says the state should hold a competitive bidding process if it wants to expand gaming operations downstate.

A SECRET WEAPON: Sands has hired former New York Gov. David Paterson (D) to make its case.

QUOTE: “Open competition builds a pathway for local careers and vocational training programs and stable good paying jobs with quality, dependable benefits that build up working class families,” former New York Gov. Paterson says.

“However, this is all at risk if the state takes the easy way out by stifling competition and providing giveaways to select operators.”