Potter's Pub Hosts New OTB System

and Nassau Downs OTB hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday evening to honor the new "Fast Track" betting system that was put into place this past September. Patrons gathered at the hospitable pub to enjoy the evening with a small buffet and raffles courtesy of OTB.

"I have had this now for eight years," explained Potter's owner Michael Amitrano, an East Islip native, in regard to the OTB system. "They just redid it into a modified, simpler way of playing. Instead of live tellers we now have machines, which are user-friendly."

The pub has dozens of televisions, including several HD TVs that broadcast several horse races at once. As the ribbon-cutting ceremony drew closer, crowds began to gather around the televisions, thrilled that the Fast Track system was now in their neighborhood.

"Out of all of the Fast Tracks, Potter's is unique in that it used to be a full service OTB," said Noel Michaels, Director of Player Development at Nassau Downs OTB. "In 2008 we started this program and Potter's fit more into the Fast Track. This gives us more opportunities to branch out into different places."

Widely popular throughout Long Island, OTB hopes that having racing in local neighborhood pubs will expand the reach of their clientele. This new way of participating in the races enables patrons to play in a more casual manner.

"In addition to our nine regular OTB locations, we now have 12 Fast Track locations in Nassau. These are in bars and restaurants, similar to Quick Draw," Michaels said. "You buy a voucher from the bartender and you use one of the self-service machines to place your bet. You don't need a teller because it is all self-serve on the machines."

The self-serve machines are located in the front of Potter's and are always available for patrons to use. The new Fast Track system makes the OTB races straightforward and easier to access for everyone. The touch screen enables fast transaction times once the voucher is obtained from the bartender.

Michaels explained that since the recession business has been down all over the country, but the Fast Track programs have been doing well. "This brings a new element into OTB and it is more of a lunch or happy hour thing. It is something fun to do at a bar or restaurant," he said.

The Fast Track system has been installed in pubs and restaurants in several other area towns, including Valley Stream, Freeport, Oceanside and Franklin Square.