1617-A - Video lottery gaming. - New York Statutes

§ 1617-a. Video lottery gaming. a. The division of the lottery is hereby authorized to license, pursuant to rules and regulations to be promulgated by the division of the lottery, the operation of video lottery gaming at Aqueduct, Monticello, Yonkers, Finger Lakes, and Vernon Downs racetracks, or at any other racetrack licensed pursuant to article three of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law that are located in a county or counties in which video lottery gaming has been authorized pursuant to local law, excluding the licensed racetrack commonly referred to in article three of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law as the "New York state exposition" held in Onondaga county and the racetracks of the non-profit racing association known as Belmont Park racetrack and the Saratoga thoroughbred racetrack. Such rules and regulations shall provide, as a condition of licensure, that racetracks to be licensed are certified to be in compliance with all state and local fire and safety codes, that the division is afforded adequate space, infrastructure, and amenities consistent with industry standards for such video gaming operations as found at racetracks in other states, that racetrack employees involved in the operation of video lottery gaming pursuant to this section are licensed by the racing and wagering board, and such other terms and conditions of licensure as the division may establish. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, video lottery gaming at a racetrack pursuant to this section shall be deemed an approved activity for such racetrack under the relevant city, county, town, or village land use or zoning ordinances, rules, or regulations. No entity licensed by the division operating video lottery gaming pursuant to this section may house such gaming activity in a structure deemed or approved by the division as "temporary" for a duration of longer than eighteen-months. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the division from licensing an entity to operate video lottery gaming at an existing racetrack as authorized in this subdivision whether or not a different entity is licensed to conduct horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at such racetrack pursuant to article two or three of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law. The division, in consultation with the racing and wagering board, shall establish standards for approval of the temporary and permanent physical layout and construction of any facility or building devoted to a video lottery gaming operation. In reviewing such application for the construction or reconstruction of facilities related or devoted to the operation or housing of video lottery gaming operations, the division, in consultation with the racing and wagering board, shall ensure that such facility: (1) possesses superior consumer amenities and conveniences to encourage and attract the patronage of tourists and other visitors from across the region, state, and nation. (2) has adequate motor vehicle parking facilities to satisfy patron requirements. (3) has a physical layout and location that facilitates access to and from the horse racing track portion of such facility to encourage patronage of live horse racing events that are conducted at such track. b. Video lottery gaming shall only be permitted for no more than twenty consecutive hours per day and on no day shall such operation be conducted past 4:00 a.m. c. The division shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the implementation of video lottery gaming in accordance with the provisions of this section and paragraph five of subdivision a of section sixteen hundred twelve of this article.d. All workers engaged in the construction, reconstruction, development, rehabilitation, or maintenance of any area for the purpose of the installation, maintenance, or removal of video lottery terminals shall be subject to the provisions of articles eight and nine of the labor law to the extent provided in such articles. e. The division shall not approve the construction or alteration of any facility or building devoted to the operation or housing of video lottery gaming until the person or entity selected to operate such video lottery gaming shall have submitted to the division a statement of the location of the proposed facility or building, together with a plan of such racetrack, and plans of all existing buildings, seating stands and other structures on the grounds of such racetrack, in such form as the division may prescribe, and such plans shall have been approved by the division. The division, at the expense of the applicant, may order such engineering examination thereof as the division may deem necessary. Such construction or alteration may be made only with the approval of the division and after examination and inspection of the plans thereof and the issuance of a permit therefor by the division.