By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – A grand opening was held Wednesday to introduce new video gaming machines at Buffalo Raceway in Hamburg. Now called Fairgrounds Gaming and Raceway, a $7.5 million renovation is complete. But more casino-style betting in the region isn't sitting well with a group opposed gambling.
Close to 1,000 new video gaming machines were installed at the Fairgrounds. But members of Citizens Against Casino Gambling in Erie County say they are not pleased. The organization has been holding regular protests against plans for another casino to be built in the county by the Seneca Nation. Joel Rose, head of Citizens against Gambling, says the new video lottery terminals in Hamburg are like playing a "slot machine." He says he fears players could become addicted to this new form of gambling.
"There's no question that this is basically a commercial venture," Rose said. "Even if you consider it to be part of the state lottery, lottery money is supposed to go to education. But the bulk of this is going to bolster the race track. Why the state should be subsidizing that particular industry is beyond me."
Rose says there is a state lawsuit that challenges the state's gaming compact with the Senecas and that includes video gaming. Rose says the video slot terminals are simply a disguise for slot machines.
The state approved video lottery terminals for eight race tracks in New York, including Buffalo Raceway, and Governor Pataki has actually proposed that eight more across the state.