Share 
Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel is moving forward with a major expansion in Islandia that is set to increase both capacity and parking for one of New York’s busiest gaming venues.
According to Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation President and CEO Phil Boyle, the Village of Islandia has approved an 8.5-acre overflow parking lot with 759 new spaces, while Phase One of the project centers on a new 110,000-square-foot casino building. Boyle said the new facility will eventually house all 2,000 gaming machines.
Phase One targets a mid-December ribbon-cutting
Boyle said Jake’s 58 is "well on our way" toward completing the first phase of the project and is hoping for a ribbon-cutting in mid-December, though he added it could come a little later.
The expansion addresses a practical issue for visitors as well as gaming capacity. Boyle said parking has been a challenge at the property, and the newly approved overflow lot is intended to ease that pressure.
For players, the most immediate change to watch is the opening timeline for the new casino space. Once operational, the larger footprint is expected to centralize the venue’s 2,000 gaming machines in the new building.
Attendance could rise as Phase Two takes shape
Boyle said Jake’s 58 currently averages between 3,000 and 5,000 patrons per day. After the expansion, he said that figure could rise closer to 7,000 daily.
Phase Two is expected to begin early next year and could take another 18 months to two years, according to Boyle. Potential additions in that stage include dining options, a sports bar or sportsbook, and other amenities. Those elements remain prospective rather than finalized.
Boyle also said Suffolk OTB operates as a public benefit corporation and that its profits primarily support education, with millions of dollars going to schools annually through the gaming system.
What New York players should watch next
The key near-term milestone is whether Jake’s 58 meets its hoped-for mid-December ribbon-cutting for Phase One. Longer term, players can watch for more detail on Phase Two amenities, especially whether a sportsbook-related offering becomes part of the final plan. As always, anyone who gambles should do so responsibly.
—
Source: As reported by Robert Chartuk.
