NEW YORK (AP) — A new casino could be coming to the home of the third leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.
The Nassau Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. announced a plan to build a 100,000-square-foot electronic gambling casino at Belmont Park. Newsday reported Wednesday that the county is aiming to build the parlor in the course’s western grandstand.
OTB spent two years looking for a site to house up to 1,000 video lottery terminals, which are similar to electronic slot machines. The agency released a statement saying that 430-acre Belmont Park was “the best possible site” for the devices.
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano supports the measure and included $20 million in gambling revenue in his 2016 budget.
“Belmont Park is a logical selection as the existing gambling facility is underutilized,” Mangano told the newspaper.
Some county lawmakers and residents oppose the plan, saying it would increase crime and traffic and produce little economic benefit.
The county will now lobby state lawmakers for approval.
In the meantime, OTB has said it will erect a temporary gambling hall near the grandstand. That structure would cost $10 million to build and likely be financed through bonds. Officials believe it would take about six months to build and could operate for 18 months.
Officials said a permanent Belmont electronic gambling parlor would cost about $75 million and probably be funded through borrowing. It would have about 300,000-square-feet for gambling and would include restaurants, a food court and a space for simulcast viewing.
The OTB originally planned to build in Westbury but abandoned plans after political and community opposition.
Belmont was the site of American Pharoah’s victory in June when the horse became the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.
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Information from: Newsday
