It’s almost an open secret at this point: A bill approved by state legislators to speed up bidding for a casino license is dead.

Sort of by default.

The bill calls for bids for the three available downstate casino licenses by Aug. 31. But Gov. Kathy Hochul hasn’t acted on the measure and, with that deadline just weeks away, it is clear the bill is moot, according to analysts and legislative sources. Even if the governor’s administration is not saying so.

“It’s obvious — it’s the middle of August!” said Bennett Liebman, a government law professor at Albany Law School and former member of the state Racing and Wagering Commission.

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