OTB Casino in Suffolk County?

Suffolk OTB has plans to offer 1,000 video lottery terminals in Medford by next February. They have recently acquired the former Brookhaven Multiplex movie theater site near Exit 64 off of the LIE.

Suffolk county officials believe that this OTB plan will help close a $20 million county budget deficit. Medford residents are starting to show opposition to the casino plan similar to what Nassau County residents did at the previously proposed site at the Fortunoff’s location in Westbury. Nassau County is rumored to be considering Belmont Racetrack for a second option for Nassau OTB. Elmont residents are planning to knock down a potential proposal for a mini casino at Belmont Park.

The Medford Civic Association will host a community meeting on Wednesday, February 25, 2015, to discuss their concerns about the casino proposal.  The Civic Association is concerned about increased traffic and lack of a sewer system on-site. The Association believes that the site would be better used for an office complex. Brookhaven town officials recently adopted a nonbinding resolution opposing the proposal and hope it will stop construction.

Suffolk Majority Leader Rob Calarco and other county lawmakers have asked the NYS gaming commission to disallow the casino proposal. Tony Pancella, vice president of Suffolk OTB, says that the OTB is exempt from local zoning laws.