Gambling expanded at track

Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002 | 9:54 a.m.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- A proposal to legalize video lottery terminals at a local harness track was approved Wednesday by county officials.

A vote by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors cleared the way for banks of the so-called VLTs to debut at the Saratoga Equine Sports Center. Operators of the harness track say they need VLTs -- which can simulate slot machines -- to boost business. But many people in this tourist town worry that VLTs could create social problems and cut into business at Saratoga's famous thoroughbred track, just miles away.

The installation of VLTs at tracks in New York was approved by Gov. George Pataki and the Legislature last year as part of gambling legislation that also allows more Indian casinos and the state's entry into the Powerball lottery.

The Aqueduct and Finger Lakes thoroughbred tracks were automatically approved for VLTs under the new law, as were the Monticello, Vernon Downs and Yonkers harness tracks. But state lawmakers left it up to officials in Saratoga County to decide whether VLTs can debut at their local harness track.

Under the same sort of local option, county officials in western New York recently voted to allow video machines at tracks in Batavia and Hamburg.

The state law expanding gambling, including the VLT provision, is being challenged in court.