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ALBANY -- Long Island will get two new video-slot machine parlors -- even if a statewide referendum to allow casinos across New York fails this fall -- under a gambling-expansion agreement announced by lawmakers Wednesday.
The deal, reached at midnight Tuesday, is expected to be ratified by rank-and-file state legislators Friday. It would authorize four upstate casinos, but prohibit casinos on Long Island and in New York City, Westchester and Rockland counties for up to seven years. It would legalize sports betting in New York -- but only if federal laws limiting sports betting are changed.
To clear the way for casinos, a separate bill would amend the state constitution to allow up to seven non-Indian-run casinos in New York.
Voters would have to approve the amendment in a referendum this fall before any upstate casinos could be developed. If they do, it would clear the way for what is probably the largest single expansion of casinos in state history. New York already has five Indian-run casinos and nine "racinos" -- horse racing tracks that offer video slot machines.
No matter the fate of the casino vote, Nassau and Suffolk counties still would be able to open one video-slot facility apiece. Each would have a maximum of 1,000 of the machines, known as video lottery terminals or VLTs.
Off-track betting corporations in Nassau and Suffolk counties would operate the video slot machine centers, officials said. Nassau OTB has indicated its preferred location is its Race Palace in Plainview, a county official said. Nassau OTB officials didn't immediately comment.
Suffolk didn't immediately indicate a site preference.
Nassau and Suffolk will get one each. Nassau wants to put it at the Race Palace in Plainview. I guess Suffolk would have to get a new building.
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