Thoroughbred horse racing track Belmont Park in Elmont, New York has been selected by Nassau Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. to host a small casino venue with as many as 1,000 video lottery terminals, local media reported on Tuesday.
The OTB has been looking for a site to locate the VLT facility for quite some time as similar efforts had previously been rejected by residents of neighboring communities. The county-run entity said in a Tuesday statement that it now wants the New York Racing Association to provide it with a portion of the Elmont-based horse racing track where a 100,000-square-foot VLT casino could be opened together with food and beverage and entertainment facilities.
In 2013, Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island were given the nod by the state to each launch a small casino with no more than 1,000 video lottery terminals. It is important to note that the devices are hooked into the state lottery but are very similar to traditional slot machines. Many saw the VLTs for the two counties as a compensation for Long Island being denied the right to apply for a license for the construction of a full-scale casino.
Nassau OTB said in the Tuesday statement that it has chosen the Belmont site after an “exhaustive” review of all available options. The county-owned corporation also added that it has been working with Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, who is known to have been close to New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in order to secure the materialization of its VLT plan.
The OTB further commented that the addition of gaming machines at the existing Belmont Park would enhance visitors’ entertainment experience and would produce additional revenue that would “support vital public services.”
However, it may take time before VLTs are added at the horse racing track. The proposal will first need to be approved by the New York Racing Association and the state. What is more, as mentioned above, similar efforts have formerly met strong opposition and Nassau OTB’s plan may not be welcomed by local communities.
Residents and legislators have expressed concerns that the casino may lead to “crime, pollution, and transportation issues.” In addition, it is expected to have quite a negative effect on the nearby Aqueduct Racetrack. The latter venue contributes a portion of its revenue to education.
Proponents of the project, however, pointed out that Belmont Park may annually generate up to $100 million and contribute no less than $20 million in much-needed tax revenue. The VLT casino would also create new jobs for residents of the area.
Nassau OTB said that it would initially put a temporary gaming machines parlor at Belmont Park and would create a permanent one, if its plan is backed by the state Legislature.
