Jake's 58 Of LI To Double Its Gaming Machines, Local Economic Boost Expected

ISLANDIA, NY — Jake's 58 Casino Hotel's planned expansion got the green light from Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (OTB) is allowed to double the number of video lottery gaming terminals at Jake's 58, with up to 2,000 machines now permitted, after Hochul signed legislation on Dec. 28. The bill passed the New York state Assembly and Senate in June.

The process would have reset if Hochul did not sign it by the end of Dec. 31.

"We would like to thank Gov. Kathy Hochul for signing this bill into law," said Phil Boyle, the incoming president and CEO of Suffolk OTB. "It will allow us to greatly upgrade and expand Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel, providing both more entertainment for our guests and more financial support for our schools.”

Outgoing Democratic State Sen. James Gaughran was the lead sponsor for the bill in the state senate, while State Assemblyman Steve Stern (D —Melville) sponsored it in the state assembly.

Stern called Jake's 58 one of the "premier gaming destinations" in New York.

"I thank Governor Hochul for signing my legislation to allow the Suffolk County Off-Track Betting Corporation to expand its highly successful operations at Jake’s 58, which is estimated to generate nearly $250 million in additional revenue for our local economy, increase good paying union jobs and help fund transformative economic development infrastructure projects throughout Suffolk County," Stern said.

The expansion will take around two years, Boyle, an outgoing state senator (R — Bay Shore), previously told Patch. He did not seek re-election in November.

Jake's 58 will also undergo a "rehabilitation" where its 200 rooms will be upgraded, and a sports bar will go where the bistro is, Boyle said. Suffolk OTB is partnering with a "large mobile sports betting organization," but the organization couldn't share which one yet.

Jake’s 58, part of Suffolk OTB, is a public benefit corporation that "contributes significantly to education," as well as Suffolk County. As of Sunday, Jake's 58 has contributed approximately $110 million to the State Education Fund and $30 million to Suffolk County with its 1,000 gaming terminals, according to Suffolk OTB.