NICHOLS, N.Y. (AP) - Tioga Downs plans a groundbreaking ceremony this week now that a state board has recommended that it be granted a license to expand into a Las Vegas-style casino.

The Southern Tier racetrack and video casino was rejected in the first round of casino applications. But a state siting board signed off on Tioga’s plan this month, sending the proposal to the state Gaming Commission to formally award a casino license later this year.

Tioga Downs plans a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for a multi-million dollar expansion.

Owner Jeff Gural wants Tioga to have table games in operation within six months of receiving a license. The expansion also will include a 161-room hotel and additional restaurants.

Tioga is about 30 miles west of Binghamton.