Nassau OTB parlors up after NYC OTB closes

New York City's recent Off-Track Betting closure spurred business at some Nassau Downs OTB locations. Its president, Joseph Cairo, reports action at the Green Acres location in Valley Stream up 55 percent, with lesser increases in Franklin Square, at the OTB's "Fast Track" Trinity Restaurant location in Floral Park and the Race Palace in Plainview.

Cairo said income rose perhaps $3.5 million since city OTB closed in early December. "My concern," he added, "is how long will it last? Will it continue to build?" The city OTB formerly paid Nassau OTB $900,000 to $1 million a year for Belmont Park races.

Jeffrey Casale, Suffolk OTB president, said much online wagering is believed to have been lost to unregulated out-of-state entities. "We saw a slight uptick in account openings and account wagering and Internet wagering," he said. - Dan Janison