Skelos Confirms Proposal To Bring Casino Gambling To Long Island

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York State Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) confirmed a proposal Tuesday to bring video slot machines to Long Island as part of negotiations to expand casinos.

After a closed-door meeting Tuesday with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders, Skelos said the discussion included video slot machines run by off-track betting agencies in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Cuomo is pushing just three, full-service, Las Vegas-style casinos, all for upstate, to create jobs.

But Skelos said possible locations for smaller video slot casinos include two sites on Long Island or at Belmont race track.

The Associated Press reported last week that the proposal for 2,000 machines was part of casino talks. A Cuomo spokesman had denied that.

Long Island elected officials have expressed support for casino gambling.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano said in a statement last week he is supporting a regional gambling facility to assist with the costs of education and holding the line on property taxes.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said millions of dollars leave Long Island every day because there are no gaming opportunities. He backed a proposal to construct a major casino with video slot machines.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan), who opposes casinos near New York City, denied the proposal was discussed.

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