Suffolk OTB Breaks Ground on $210M Expansion of Jake’s 58 Hotel and Casino, Adding Hotel Rooms, Dining Options, Concert Venue, Spa, More Parking, Jobs in Islandia Village

Long Island witnessed a major groundbreaking ceremony for Suffolk OTB’s $210 million expansion venture, which entails an increase in hotel rooms and new dining options at Jake’s 58 Hotel and Casino. The project will also incorporate a concert venue along with twice as many slot machines and more than three times the number of parking spaces compared to its current capacity. According to Phil Boyle, President of Suffolk OTB, “We’re going from 600 spots to 2,000 spots.” Besides, new features encompass a spa at the expanded establishment set in Islandia village. The casino that opened two years ago is one among New York State’s most successful ones with Suffolk County, Village of Islandia and state education system receiving millions annually as part of their revenue-sharing agreement. Jim LaCarrubba, Vice President of Jake’s 58 stated that the expansion would create around 800 highly skilled union jobs over a period of two years in addition to more than 125 permanent positions. Suffolk OTB estimates show gross casino revenue could grow by 42% or $388 million during its first full year after completion, and beyond that, it is expected to exceed $400 million in the year 2028.
The officials of Suffolk County are confident about no tax hikes once the expansion work finishes. The Village will receive over $4m annually as part of this project’s plans for eliminating property taxes on its approximately 3,500 residents. Mayor Allan Dorman expressed his thoughts stating that “Think about it; you own a house and live in Long Island, but here you are not paying any tax.” While some village residents feel elated regarding the abolition of their property taxes as they put it ‘Village, Village’, others opine that $400 to $500 saved annually on homeowners isn’t justified with increased disturbances such as an augmentation in noise level and heightened criminal activity. The two-year long expansion venture is happening amidst the state’s plans for adding three traditional downstate casinos.