The Nassau County Off-Track Betting Corporation has announced that it has chosen Belmont Park to house a video lottery terminal facility.

OTB says it reached the conclusion after studying and reviewing reports and getting input from nationally recognized consultants to the gaming industry.

Officials say the plan will be implemented in two phases. The first would be a temporary facility with 1,000 video lottery machines in a lot north of Hempstead Turnpike. The other would be a much larger 100,000-square-foot gambling parlor in the western portion of the park. That would require state legislative approval.

In a statement, the OTB says, "We are working with the county executive to ensure that Nassau County and the local communities receive increased benefits from this enhancement to a facility that has hosted horse race wagering for more than a century."