NY Gambling on Gambling to Close Budget Gap ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - New York Governor David Paterson is looking to expand gambling opportunities in the state as part of his plan to help close the budget gap.

Proposals include expanding the hours and locations where people can play "Quick Draw," and dropping the restrictions on operating hours at racinos, which feature video lottery terminals -- or V-L-T-s at race tracks.

Steve Martin directs marketing and gaming at the Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack, where attendsnce has increased greatly since VLT's were installed in 2005. Martin says extending the hours for VLT's will likely be attractive to a number of people.

But James Maney, executive director of the New York Council on Problem Gambling, says the expansion will mean more New Yorkers will lose money, and there's no dedicated flow of funds for treatment of problem gamblers. Maney says the state only promotes one message: that gambling is "good."

Martin, meanwhile, says staff members at Finger Lakes are trained to deal with "problem gamblers," and help is available for those who seek it.
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