The bill to allow the Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (OTB) to double the number of video lottery gaming terminals at Jake’s 58 casino, with up to 2,000 machines now permitted, has been passed by the New York State Assembly and Senate. The bill was signed by Hochul in December but would have expired if not passed by June.
“We would like to thank Gov. Kathy Hochul for signing this bill into law,” said Phil Boyle in December, the incoming president and CEO of Suffolk OTB. “It will allow us to greatly upgrade and expand Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel, providing both more entertainment for our guests and more financial support for our schools.”
Outgoing Democratic State Sen. James Gaughran was the lead sponsor for the bill in the state senate, while State Assemblyman Steve Stern (D —Melville) sponsored it in the state assembly.
Stern called Jake’s 58 one of the “premier gaming destinations” in New York.
“I thank Governor Hochul for signing my legislation to allow the Suffolk County Off-Track Betting Corporation to expand its highly successful operations at Jake’s 58, which is estimated to generate nearly $250 million in additional revenue for our local economy, increase good paying union jobs and help fund transformative economic development infrastructure projects throughout Suffolk County,” Stern said.
The expansion will take around two years, Boyle, an outgoing state senator (R — Bay Shore), previously told Patch. He did not seek re-election in November.
Jake’s 58 will also undergo a “rehabilitation” where its 200 rooms will be upgraded, and a sports bar will go where the bistro is, Boyle said. Suffolk OTB is partnering with a “large mobile sports betting organization,” but the organization couldn’t share which one yet.
Jake’s 58, part of Suffolk OTB, is a public benefit corporation that “contributes significantly to education,” as well as Suffolk County. Jake’s 58 has contributed approximately $110 million to the State Education Fund and $30 million to Suffolk County with its 1,000 gaming terminals, according to Suffolk OTB.
In the meantime, a 10-foot sound buffer that had already been promised, will be built at the site as the Suffolk OTB awaits the Village of Islandia’s vote on its planned expansion.
Phil Boyle, president and CEO of the Suffolk OTB, said he heard Delaware North, the previous owner of Jake’s 58, promised a sound wall during outreach with nearby residents.
“And what did they put up but a chain link fence? Not exactly a sound wall, right?” Boyle told Patch.
Boyle promised a high-tech 10-foot wall with true soundproofing and greenery on both sides. It is expected to cost $1.25 million, and Boyle hopes the wall will be built early in the potential expansion process to protect neighbors from construction noise.
The expansion is not yet a done deal, as it will need to be approved by the Islandia Village Board, which is set to vote on the preliminary site approval on July 11, Boyle said. A possible vote on the final approval would be July 27.
Should the board vote against the expansion, Boyle said he is “absolutely” willing to work with the community on finding a solution.
“I think we’ve had a good partnership with the mayor and village board to date,” he said. “We listen to their concerns in a lot of different areas and try to accommodate them as best we can. I think that partnership will continue. If for some reason, the vote doesn’t go our way on July 11 and July 27, we will listen to their further concerns and make any modifications to address their concerns as quickly as possible.”
