Statement by Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. on State Budget Providing VLTs at Aqueduct Raceway

“The new State Budget will provide an economic boost to Resorts World and our overall community by allowing the placement of an additional 2,000 VLTs at Aqueduct Raceway, which already houses around 5,500 terminals. This will help to make an already very successful local business even more profitable, which is good news for the Queens economy and will ultimately increase the lottery funds that Resorts World raises through its gaming activities to support education in New York State.

The original plan by the Nassau County OTB to place VLTs at the Belmont Park Raceway was highly controversial at the local level and would have led to foolish and unnecessary competition between Belmont and Aqueduct, which are only about 10 miles apart. The Belmont casino would need to start from scratch, while we already have a well-established and thriving gaming facility in Resorts World. I am pleased that a reasonable compromise was reached on this issue and that our community will be a significant beneficiary of this budget agreement.”