As part of the agreement, the state held a referendum to amend the New York State Constitution to allow for full gambling casinos to operate within the state, which passed on November 5, 2013. The agreement paved the way for the OIN to open two more casinos within its 10-county area of exclusivity. The casino applied for several liquor licenses with the New York State Liquor Authority (Liquor Authority) in 2007 that were denied on October 3, 2007. After delaying a decision for a month, the liquor board told the OIN it cannot issue permits while unsettled sovereignty issues between the OIN and the state (related to land issues) are being litigated in court. "The Liquor Authority said the applications were disapproved without prejudice, and the Nation can reapply for the licenses after the reservation issue is solved." The licenses would have allowed the casino to serve alcohol on the gaming floor and at its several restaurants. While the applications were pending before the Liquor Authority, the resort did not allow any kind of alcohol on the premises, as part of their application. Since the Liquor Authority's denial on the applications, the OIN lifted the alcohol ban in the resort. In response, the casino reached an agreement with the Beeches Hotel And Catering Service which received multiple one-day permits to sell alcohol at the premises. This generated much controversy because the Beech's owner's wife, Roan Destito sits on the committee governing liquor laws. In May 2010, the casino leased portions of the property to a subsidiary of the Beech's which in turn was awarded a full license to sell liquor and other alcohol. This allowed the casino to offer alcohol to its patrons at all the restaurants and the gaming floor, in addition to the private nightclub. Smoking is allowed around the resort; non-smoking sections have been established and expanded in all areas. In 2016, the casino and resort underwent a $20 million upgrade and renovation project to provide better smoke-free areas on the gambling floor, and improve ventilation facilities to enhance all non-smoking zones within the resort and casino. Since 2001, Turning Stone has received more than 480 different awards and recognitions. In 2018, Forbes Travel Guide awarded the resort with three Four Star ratings for The Lodge hotel, Wildflowers restaurant, and Skana spa. The year before, AAA awarded three of its prestigious AAA Four Diamond Awards, to the resort's The Lodge and Tower hotels, as well as Wildflowers restaurant, making Turning Stone the only resort in the Northeastern United States to earn both three AAA and Forbes awards.