Bid to kill video slots on Long Island gets a boost

A bid to kill electronic slot machines on Long Island got a boost Thursday when a lawmaker introduced a bill in the state Senate to do so.

The action by Sen. Tony Avella (D-Whitestone) means the bill now has a sponsor from the political majority in both the Senate and Assembly, although there is no indication yet that the proposal will be approved. (Avella is one of five breakaway Democrats who have formed a governing coalition with Senate Republicans.)

The prosed legislation would repeal state authorization for video slots, also known as video lottery terminals or VLTs, in Nassau and Suffolk counties. It matches an Assembly bill sponsored by Assemb. James Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon), Assemb. Michaelle Solages (D-Elmont) and Assemb. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-St. James).

Fitzpatrick started the movement last year, citing vocal opposition to proposed casino sites in both counties.

State lawmakers originally pitched gambling expansion as a way to help Nassau and Suffolk finances. In 2013, the Legislature and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo authorized each county to build gambling parlors with up to 1,000 video slot machines per county.. But the idea ran into roadblocks once officials began trying to pick specific sites.

Local and vocal opposition forced Nassau and Suffolk off-track betting agencies to shelve proposed sites in Westbury and Medford. Nassau is now looking to place the machines at Belmont Race Track. Suffolk is eyeing the Marriott Long Island in Islandia.