After a month of public backlash in the form of protests, rallies, petitions and a lawsuit, Nassau Regional Off Track Betting (NROTB) has called off their plans to move a video lottery terminal (VLT) facility into the Fortunoff building at the Source Mall.
“While we firmly believe that this site would have received all of the necessary approvals, it is clear that the level of opposition from the surrounding neighbors and their elected representatives no longer made the Fortunoff’s property a viable option consistent with NROTB’s long-term business model,” said Arthur Walsh, NROTB General Counsel.
The announcement on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 31 was a resounding victory for the residents of Carle Place, Westbury, Meadowbrook Pointe and surrounding communities, who had been fervently against the Fortunoff site selection since it was announced back in late December. Local municipalities, as well as school districts, civic groups and local residents, voiced their disdain for the plan from the get-go, citing the gaming parlor would lead to increased traffic and crime in a residential neighborhood. Officials on all levels of government from both parties joined the fight, hearing from residents and urging OTB to consider alternate locations. Residents formed the grassroots group Stop the Casino at Fortunoff, which mobilized locals to sign petitions, call and write their local legislators, as well as rally outside the site. Forums drew crowds of more than a thousand from Westbury, Carle Place, and surrounding communities. Three more forums and a rally had been planned for the upcoming weeks, and Westbury’s Vinny Abbatiello, who is part of the Stop the Casino group, says he was glad to be able to cancel them.
“I’m excited that OTB decided to move it,” said Abbatiello. “It was an uphill battle. This is an amazing community and area that stuck together and fought this. We never gave up.”
Village of Westbury mayor Peter Cavallaro was on the forefront of the fight against the casino, and expressed thanks to the many elected leaders, school officials and residents who joined in the fight to ensure victory.
“All in all, this is a perfect example as to how good government and good citizenship can cause decisions to be changed and the voice of the people to be heard,” said Cavallaro “I am proud that our community, as it always does when challenged, came together as one and spoke as one”
While they have not selected another site yet, Walsh says OTB is still committed to establish a VLT gaming facility in Nassau County.
“This facility will benefit Nassau County taxpayers with revenue to mitigate future property tax increases. It will strengthen the local economy and create good paying jobs by providing patrons with a state of the art, multifaceted recreational experience,” said Walsh. “An alternative location will be selected after NROTB conducts a comprehensive review and analysis of sites that are willing to be considered and conform to New York State law.”
