Belmont Park Neighboring Civic Study
Neighboring Civic and
Residents Oppose VLTs Idea at Belmont

The Locustwood Estates founded in 1929, and renamed in 1989 to the
Locustwood / Gotham Civic Association serves as the civic that
represents the homeowners, families and children of the residents that
reside in the western section of the hamlet of Elmont. Slightly over
eighty percent of Belmont Park is within the area referred to as
Locustwood Estates. As the civic with the closest proximity to Belmont
Park, and ultimately the greatest impact to development at the
location, we had done an extensive research and study as to what would
best fit the community, as well the needs of the taxpayers and the
benefit of the horse racing industry.
The Locustwood / Gotham Civic Association, in conjunction with
research and community responses from Elmontcivic.com recommends the
State of New York and the New York State Racing and Wagering Board to
oppose Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) at Belmont Park.
The State is in a tough economic situation. There is a conscious
strategy across the nation on part of the gambling industry to take
advantage of States who are forced to make these tough decisions.
There is no evidence that states with large sources of gambling
revenues are better financially or better off in providing services to
the citizens of its State.
In 1999, a Federal Commission reported, “States should refuse to
allow the introduction of casino style gambling including VLTs into
pari-mutuel facilities.” Largely because of deceptive advertising
practices, and how these facilities tend to target minority and poor
communities. As Newsday recently reported, Elmont is a lower-middle
class, working and multi-cultural community. Elmont is a community
that is most at risk and vulnerable to the social and economic damages
that VLTs create.
The University of Alabama in May 2008 identified scientific proof
that gamblers of VLTs have the same chemical reaction similar to
cocaine, according to high-tech imaging that looks inside the brain. A
2004 New York State Senate study found that VLTs are the most
addictive and most dangerous form of gambling. In 2002, even casino
advocate US Senator John McCain, acknowledged to a crowd in South
Carolina, those electronic games such as VLTs hurt families and
communities.
While New York State may receive some financial benefit because of
expanding gambling, the social and economic burden will fall on the
community. Counties that have gambling facilities have bankruptcy
rates go up by over 18%. Small business around casinos often close due
to financial loses, and there is a degradation of quality of jobs, and
the local work force and their opportunities for self-growth.
Ultimately, the result to the local community is another mandated
cost. Social costs are staggering after a few years a VLT operator
opens. The cost to the local community is $13,000 to $22,000 for each
problem gambler. Taken into account the average of problem gamblers
generated by VLTS across the nation, it will cost the hamlet of Elmont
$14.43 Million to $57.72 Million a year, to cover the social costs of
VLTs alone. The federal study also noted that communities like Elmont
with a high minority population and or youth population tend to have
substantially higher financial burdens as a result. This figure does
not include the costs of infrastructure, or the costs of increased
police coverage nor the financial implications to other surrounding
communities such as Bellerose, Floral Park, South Floral Park and
Queens Village.
States across the nation are cutting back from gambling projects.
Massachusetts stopped their plans of three casinos. In Buffalo, New
York, the current economic climate halted the construction of a
casino. In the province of New Brunswick, Canada the government
eliminates 50% of VLT locations and the result was million of dollars
more for the horse racing industry. Evidence that more is not always
better.
Casinos in New Jersey and Las Vegas are going bankrupt and laying
off thousands of jobs. Last month, Mayor Oscar Goodman of Las Vegas
opposed the construction of VLTs in the city’s downtown. Instead, the
Union Park downtown revitalization project focuses on creating a
community and performing arts center.
NYRA Chairman Charles Hayward publically noted to CBS Sports that
VLTs at Belmont is not necessary for NYRA to be profitable. In fact,
last week in Bloodhorse he was quoted saying, “VLTs will not be
bringing in revenues 10 years from now.”
Video Lottery Terminals bring more harm than good; provide no
long-term economic benefit and only breeds corruption and degradation
of families and the quality of life of communities. Russia has
completely banned them. States across the nation are stopping
projects. Multiple referendums last November had voters opposed to new
casinos.
Tough decisions call for tough answers. While we look for quick
solutions to our troubled economy, we must not forget who will have to
front the burden and the most importantly the consequences in the
future. It is the children, and the many who attend schools around
Belmont Park, some just a hundred feet away that ultimately would face
the consequences. We must look at the harsh reality. Though VLTs seem
to create a quick fix, we must not be blind to the economic, social
and scientific evidence that prove that not only in our State, our
nation, but the world that ultimately VLTs cause more harm than good.
It is critical for the State of New York, to improve upon the
historical nature of Belmont Park and focus on connecting the
community with the racetrack. The Manice Center Project serves as an
example where community, culture and fine arts take precedent. A
museum and a community / cultural center would provide the necessary
support to the suburban community, as well as provide the economic
boost to the State of New York and the horseracing industry at Belmont
Park.
