Lottery terminals at Belmont?

"I think this will be an opportunity for the community to prosper," said state Assemblyman Tom Alfano (R-Franklin Square), who has been pressing hard for VLTs at Belmont.
The move to install the machines hinges on support from Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who has not backed use of the terminals at the racetrack, though he is a fan of the VLTs at Aqueduct in Queens. According to Alfano, however, the governor seems to have had a change of heart in recent months. "The assemblyman told the governor that Belmont wants a seat at the table, and the governor agreed," said Scott Cushing, a spokesman for Alfano. "Governor Spitzer told the assemblyman, 'You're right, I am going to go with VLTs [at Belmont].' This is a tremendous step forward in the process."
However, a spokesman for Spitzer, Paul Larrabee, said the video lottery terminals at Belmont do not have enough support in the state Legislature. "The governor believes Belmont is one of the premier racing facilities in the world," said Larrabee. "But there's not sufficient political support for [VLTs] at this time. This does not preclude the opportunity for something to be done in the future."
He added that without the Legislature's backing, "it's a moot point" whether the governor supports VLTs at Belmont. Larrabee said it is extremely unlikely they will be in place by Jan. 1, as Alfano hopes.
Cushing said that when Spitzer spoke to Alfano in September, he said he would keep an open mind about VLTs at Belmont. The governor has recently been making statements that would indicate he would now support installation of the terminals, Cushing added.
Spitzer has been locked in negotiations with the state Senate about who will run Belmont when its franchise agreement runs out at the end of the year. In a Sept. 4 memorandum of understanding, Spitzer recommended that the New York Racing Association, which holds the franchise to operate racing at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga through Dec. 31, operate the tracks for the next 30 years, a plan that requires legislative approval.
At an Oct. 1 meeting, Elmont residents said they would like to have an agreement with the next franchise holder that would provide a stream of revenue to fund educational programs and reduce property taxes - revenue that VLTs, which are similar to video slot machines, could provide.
A player inserts money into a video lottery terminal, selects a combination of numbers and pulls a lever or pushes a button. Numbers are randomly generated via a hookup run by the lottery, and the machines can pay out in two ways - either coins drop out or a paper receipt is printed that can be redeemed for prize money.
State Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), who represents part of Elmont, has been another driving force in support of the terminals, said Tom Dunham, his spokesman. "There's going to be a new racing franchise, and the VLTs are part and parcel of the negotiations," said Dunham. "You can't separate one thing from the other.
"... The status quo is not good enough," Dunham said. "Belmont should not be an afterthought. We will not rest until Belmont Park is treated fairly."
Local leaders have asked that VLTs be installed and that $20 million be put into a Belmont Preservation Trust each year, with some of the money being used to spur economic development, for infrastructure projects such as road repair and for increased security around the racetrack. Local schools would also benefit under the proposal, with crucial education dollars being funneled into Elmont, Floral Park and South Floral Park, they said.
"We believe it will help stoke economic revitalization of the area," said Cushing. "First of all, it will bring more people to Belmont racetrack."
He added that larger attendance at the racetrack because of the VLTs, which would be operational year-round, would encourage the construction of restaurants and possibly even a hotel. "The governor is now on board with this whole process," said Cushing. "This is a generational decision that we make today that would impact these areas for the next 30 years."
The proposal would particularly help the "blighted" Hempstead Turnpike area. "This whole thing would jump-start the area," Cushing said. "We want people to say with pride, 'I live in Elmont.' We want Belmont to once again be a shining jewel. It should be the premier horse training facility in the U.S."
An economic boost would likely lead to the opening of the local Long Island Rail Road station year-round, which now closes in the winter.
"It would take an area that is seen by some as being in decay and give it that adrenaline shot of revitalization," Cushing said of the proposal.
Alfano said that Spitzer appears to be prepared to heed the wishes and pleas of Elmont residents and community leaders. "The community would benefit with quality roads and infrastructure measures with the dedicated funds that would be part of the deal," Alfano said.
A shopping center would also be considered, which could be anchored by a Wal-Mart, the assemblyman said, adding that he hoped to have the franchise agreement in place by mid-December and the terminals at Belmont installed by Jan. 1.
Alfano added that area revitalization would create construction jobs as well as permanent jobs in the restaurants and hotel, and "help the overburdened homeowners with taxes.
"This is a generational decision," Alfano went on. "If this comes to fruition, it would be a very positive thing for Elmont and the southwest Nassau community."
Critics of the slot machine-like terminals said they would only promote more gambling, and create a surge in crime and grime. Nonetheless, Sandra Smith, co-chair of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development, said she would favor installation of the VLTs because they would offset high property taxes - but she would not if they are not accompanied by extra security in and around Belmont.
"I think this can be a huge plus in terms of income, especially for the school district," Smith said. "The VLTs would bring in increased security, in terms of police presence, that would alleviate all other nonsense that would take place in the area."
Pat Nicolosi, an Elmont resident for 40 years, said the terminals would help return Belmont to its heyday, when there were regularly crowds of 20,000 to 30,000 - five times the number who attend now. "I think it will bring people back to a track that can handle 100,000," said Nicolosi, who traced the track's downfall to the early 1970s, when Off-Track Betting parlors opened and Atlantic City became a popular gambling destination. "People want gambling and slot machines."
Nicolosi said he could see how some people may be vigorously opposed to more opportunities for gambling. But, he said, scratch-off lottery tickets are sold at convenience stores, bingo and casino nights are popular at temples and churches - and VLTs at Yonkers have created 1,100 jobs, and could do the same for Belmont.
Even if Spitzer approves the VLTs at Belmont, the lack of support from state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver will remain a major obstacle. "He believes the VLTs should only be limited to Aqueduct as per the agreement," said Dan Weiller, a spokesman for Silver.
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