Danbury Off-Track Betting Plan: Five Things to Know

DANBURY, CT — An off-track betting (OTB) facility in nearing a reality in Downtown Danbury despite pushback from residents and business owners. The gambling facility was approved by the City's zoning commission in early May, but protests continue.

Opponents say the proposed facility could change downtown for the worse, but some city officials say the facility is part of the vision for the downtown revitalization. If you have missed some of our previous coverage of the issue, here are five things you need to know about the controversial betting facility.

1. What is it?

OTB is sanctioned gambling on horse racing, greyhound racing and Jai Alai outside of the race track. Danbury's facility would be located in the upper level of Two Steps Downtown Grill, with a sports bar on the the first floor of the Ives Street restaurant. Sportech Venues, which holds exclusive rights to OTB in the state, operates 16 betting parlors statewide.

2. Is it definitely happening?

The city's zoning commission approved a proposal for the facility on May 9. That decision sent the proposal to City Council, which must approve it before the facility can become a reality. According to a report from the News Times, the proposal has been endorsed by the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce as well as two city land use boards and the CityCenter Board of Directors.

3. Financials

Sportech Venues has agreed to spend $750,000 to renovated Two Steps Downtown Bar and Grill to allow for a sports bar on the first floor and OTB on the second. Under the proposed agreement, Sportech would provided 1.6 percent of its gross revenue to City Center, which city officials estimate could total $100,000 per year.

Two Steps Owner and CityCenter's Board of Directors Tom Devine told the News Times that the betting parlor would be less than 25 percent of the building that would be turned into a large sports bar.

4. Pushback

While the proposal has approval from several city groups and officials, pushback has been swift. In an effort to fight the facility, Pour Me Coffee & Wine Bar owner Andrea Gartner has filed a petition against the Sportech Venues, Inc. and the zoning commission.

Opponents argue the facility would thwart revitalization efforts downtown and draw crime to the area. Andrea White, the owner of Mothership Bakery & Cafe, also voiced concerns regarding the facility.

"Mothership on Main has a very wholesome and family-friendly customer base which we have worked hard to build," said White in a statement. "We would like to not only maintain that base, but add to it. We plead with anyone who has the ability to push stop, or even pause the progress of OTB in the Downtown Danbury area to do so."

5. What happens next?

Discussion of the OTB facility has not yet been put on the City Council's agenda. Sportech Venues is opening a similar facility at the former Bobby V's in Stamford.

Image via Google Maps Screenshot