Opposition to a proposed casino at Belmont Park in New York presented itself in the form of a recent 2,000-person protest held in Floral Park.
Protestors don’t want Belmont Park to open a video casino, which the historic racetrack seeks to do along its western grandstand.
Nassau Regional Off-Track Betting last month announced plans to open a 100,000-square-foot video casino at the racetrack, but opponents say it will increase local crime and create traffic problems, while decreasing local property values and straining local services.
Local police say they likely will have fewer patrol available for the Village of Floral Park after the casino opens, and Floral Park-Bellerose School Board President Laura Perone suggested at casino at the racetrack might create problems for students. The Belmont Park is located across the street from two schools.
While some locals oppose the proposed gaming facility, local supporters say gambling already goes on at the racetrack, and it’s hypocritical to suggest an additional video casino would be bad.
Nassau OTB and local officials must obtain permission from state lawmakers to proceed with the gaming facility, but say a temporary site likely will be built in the meantime that would house 1,000 machines.
