Video slot machines may be coming to Belmont Park.
According to a source quoted in Newsday, "Nassau County leaders are close to forming a consensus to house the machines" at Belmont.
As News 12 Long Island has reported, residents and elected officials came out in droves last year to shoot down plans to put 1,000 VLT machines at the site of the vacant Fortunoff building in Westbury.
Since then, Legislator Carrie Solages says there has been speculation about Belmont, but denies that any agreement has been reached by Democratic leaders.
"There is no consensus or agreement by our leaders as to where we want this casino," says Solages. "It wasn't good enough for Westbury, it's not good enough for the Five Towns, it's not good enough for Elmont."
Anti-casino rallies were held Monday at the track and in front of county offices in Mineola.
However, civic leader Pat Nicolosi says if it brings in revenue for the county, putting the VLTs at Belmont would be a natural fit.
"Belmont Racetrack is a racetrack. No one can argue with gambling at a racetrack. It's like arguing against prayer in church," says Nicolosi.