In Islandia, Jake's 58 can double betting machines with gov's signoff
A rendering of the proposed $200 million expansion of Jake’s 58 casino. Plans call for adding sports bars, taverns and conference rooms, restoring a pool that was closed when the casino opened and new parking spaces that include constructing a parking garage, OTB officials have said. Credit: bld architecture
More betting machines are coming to Jake’s 58 casino — but patrons of the Islandia gaming parlor will have to wait awhile.
Plans to expand the casino received a boost late Wednesday when Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation that will double the casino’s video lottery terminals from 1,000 to 2,000, officials said Thursday.
Gamblers won’t see the new machines for about two years, however, as Suffolk OTB, the casino’s owner-operator, constructs a building next to Jake’s as part of a $200 million expansion, OTB managing director Phil Boyle told Newsday on Thursday.
New terminals will be welcomed because Jake’s 58, which is open 20 hours daily, is regularly packed with visitors, Boyle said.
“We close at 4 a.m. and they tell me they have to tell people to leave, and then we open at 8 [a.m.] and there’s already a line out of the door,” Boyle said.
State law has limited OTB to having 1,000 video lottery terminals at Jake’s, one of the state’s most successful virtual gaming facilities since it opened in February 2017.
Hochul signed a bill permitting the additional terminals during an end-of-year bill-signing spree.
Boyle said the new terminals should be available for play in late 2024 or early 2025 after construction of additional space, including an adjoining building behind the existing casino on a property that also has a 200-room hotel and a small bistro.
Right now Jake’s has limited space for new terminals, Boyle said.
OTB officials in October unveiled plans to add sports bars, taverns and conference rooms, and to restore a pool that was closed to make room for betting machines when the casino opened.
Parking, now at about 600 spaces, will be more than tripled to about 2,000, an increase that is likely to include the construction of a parking garage, OTB officials have said. The expansion and additional parking await Village of Islandia approval.
Jake’s 58 has withstood legal challenges from a handful of Islandia residents who had sued in federal Bankruptcy Court in Brooklyn to close the casino.
Paul Sabatino, the Huntington Station lawyer who represented opponents, told Newsday there are no current plans to sue over the planned expansion. “A lot hinges on the exact proposal and what it looks like,” he said.
The plan for additional terminals had received bipartisan backing in the State Legislature. Boyle, an outgoing Republican state senator who took the OTB job in October, had co-sponsored the Senate bill drafted by State Sen. James Gaughran (D-Northport), who did not seek reelection.
Suffolk County Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. had been in bankruptcy until Jake’s 58 revenues enabled it to finish paying off tens of millions of dollars in debt in 2020.
Last month, Jake’s took in $324.4 million in bets and returned about 93%, or $303.4 million, in winnings to bettors, according to online state Gaming Commission data.
Gaming commission records show $20.1 million was split between OTB, the state public education fund and OTB contractors. OTB’s share was $9.04 million.
Boyle said OTB must raise “a tremendous amount of financing” before beginning construction. The casino will remain open during construction, but some terminals may be temporarily removed, he said.
“It’s going to be short-term pain for large future gain for everyone,” Boyle said.
OTB is considering applying for one of three licenses to open traditional casinos in the New York City region. Boyle said such casinos are not likely to pose a threat to Jake’s.
“Those facilities are going to be in New York City,” he said. “It’s a different clientele from us.”
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated the title of Jake’s 58 managing director Phil Boyle.
More betting machines are coming to Jake’s 58 casino — but patrons of the Islandia gaming parlor will have to wait awhile.
Plans to expand the casino received a boost late Wednesday when Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation that will double the casino’s video lottery terminals from 1,000 to 2,000, officials said Thursday.
Gamblers won’t see the new machines for about two years, however, as Suffolk OTB, the casino’s owner-operator, constructs a building next to Jake’s as part of a $200 million expansion, OTB managing director Phil Boyle told Newsday on Thursday.
New terminals will be welcomed because Jake’s 58, which is open 20 hours daily, is regularly packed with visitors, Boyle said.
“We close at 4 a.m. and they tell me they have to tell people to leave, and then we open at 8 [a.m.] and there’s already a line out of the door,” Boyle said.
OTB managing director Phil Boyle said gamblers at Jake’s 58 won’t see the new video lottery terminals at the Islandia casino for about two years. Credit: Newsday / John Paraskevas
State law has limited OTB to having 1,000 video lottery terminals at Jake’s, one of the state’s most successful virtual gaming facilities since it opened in February 2017.
Hochul signed a bill permitting the additional terminals during an end-of-year bill-signing spree.
Boyle said the new terminals should be available for play in late 2024 or early 2025 after construction of additional space, including an adjoining building behind the existing casino on a property that also has a 200-room hotel and a small bistro.
Right now Jake’s has limited space for new terminals, Boyle said.
OTB officials in October unveiled plans to add sports bars, taverns and conference rooms, and to restore a pool that was closed to make room for betting machines when the casino opened.
Parking, now at about 600 spaces, will be more than tripled to about 2,000, an increase that is likely to include the construction of a parking garage, OTB officials have said. The expansion and additional parking await Village of Islandia approval.
Jake’s 58 has withstood legal challenges from a handful of Islandia residents who had sued in federal Bankruptcy Court in Brooklyn to close the casino.
Paul Sabatino, the Huntington Station lawyer who represented opponents, told Newsday there are no current plans to sue over the planned expansion. “A lot hinges on the exact proposal and what it looks like,” he said.
The plan for additional terminals had received bipartisan backing in the State Legislature. Boyle, an outgoing Republican state senator who took the OTB job in October, had co-sponsored the Senate bill drafted by State Sen. James Gaughran (D-Northport), who did not seek reelection.
Suffolk County Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. had been in bankruptcy until Jake’s 58 revenues enabled it to finish paying off tens of millions of dollars in debt in 2020.
Last month, Jake’s took in $324.4 million in bets and returned about 93%, or $303.4 million, in winnings to bettors, according to online state Gaming Commission data.
Gaming commission records show $20.1 million was split between OTB, the state public education fund and OTB contractors. OTB’s share was $9.04 million.
Boyle said OTB must raise “a tremendous amount of financing” before beginning construction. The casino will remain open during construction, but some terminals may be temporarily removed, he said.
“It’s going to be short-term pain for large future gain for everyone,” Boyle said.
OTB is considering applying for one of three licenses to open traditional casinos in the New York City region. Boyle said such casinos are not likely to pose a threat to Jake’s.
“Those facilities are going to be in New York City,” he said. “It’s a different clientele from us.”
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated the title of Jake’s 58 managing director Phil Boyle.
Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.
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Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
