Belmont Development

Dozens rally against VLTs at Belmont

Call for support of laws banning gambling on L.I.

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Nearly 100 people gathered at Gate 3 of Belmont Park on Saturday to urge state lawmakers to support two bills that would prohibit electronic gaming on Long Island.

The rally, organized by the grass-roots group No Casino at Belmont Park and supported by the Belmont Task Force, a village of Floral Park entity, is the second one that has been held outside the racetrack since January. Protesters held signs calling for new leadership in Albany as they chanted, “We voted you in, and we can vote you out!”

In December, Nassau OTB chose the 101-year-old facility to house a video lottery terminal parlor. The proposed 100,000-square-foot facility could house up to 1,000 terminals, and cost $75 million to build. A temporary structure, costing $10 million and funded by bonds, OTB officials said, could be up and running in four to six months. After 18 months of operation, the permanent facility would be constructed, pending approval by the state.

Opponents of the plan claim that such a facility would bring more crime and traffic, and ultimately be a blight on the community.

“We don’t need a casino, we need effective leadership!” Floral Park resident Neil Doherty shouted during the protest.

On March 17, State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Whitestone) introduced a bill that would ban VLTs on Long Island. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon) proposed a similar bill, which Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages (D-Valley Stream) and Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R-St. James) co-sponsored.

“For the short period of time the bill has been out, we’ve had great traction,” Solages said after the demonstration. “This is just building the momentum to make sure that we protect Belmont and the community around Belmont.”

The Senate version of the bill has yet to attract a sponsor or support from any of Avella’s colleagues. That support would go a long way in helping the effort to pass legislation, according to Nadia Holubnyczyj-Ortiz, one of the organizers of the rally.

“That is something that, obviously, we have to get over,” Ortiz said prior to the rally. “It has a stronger impact if a Long Island senator does collaborate with Senator Avella.”

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