Potential opening of a Long Island venue, initially intended for Sands casino, now considering operation of Off-Track Betting (OTB) and Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) instead.
In a potential twist of events, the Nassau Hub could be a future location for gambling establishments, as the state of New York considers the expansion of commercial casinos. One of the potential contenders for a downstate full-service casino license is Resorts World, a well-known name in the gaming industry.
While Resorts World is currently focused on a major expansion of its Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) in Queens, transforming the existing electronic gaming facility into a full-scale casino resort, this project does not involve Nassau County. However, the county is part of the ongoing state process for awarding three downstate casino licenses, which could potentially see VLTs (Video Lottery Terminals) being located in Nassau County.
The possibility of gambling at the Nassau Hub is not a new concept. Back a decade ago, County Executive Edward Mangano was unable to site 1,000 VLTs within Nassau County. However, the landscape has changed, and the state process for awarding downstate casino licenses offers a fresh opportunity.
Interestingly, Nassau OTB made a deal to place the 1,000 VLTs at Resorts World in Queens. If Resorts World were to win a downstate full-service casino license, Nassau OTB could reopen the contract to operate Nassau's designated 1,000 VLTs, potentially leading to the establishment of gambling at the Nassau Hub. This arrangement would come with a steady annual revenue payment, benefiting both parties involved.
The future of gambling in Nassau County remains uncertain, with many factors at play. The community, traffic concerns, and the success of Resorts World's Queens expansion project will all influence the decision-making process. As the state process unfolds, it will be interesting to see whether the Nassau Hub becomes a hub for gambling establishments after all.
If Resorts World manages to secure a downstate full-service casino license, it could potentially renegotiate its contract with Nassau OTB to operate the designated 1,000 VLTs, thereby introducing casino-games to the Nassau Hub. Furthermore, the ongoing state process for awarding downstate casino licenses indicates a potential revival of lotteries within Nassau County, as VLTs could be located in the area.
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