Torrington, a city in Connecticut, will be opening a new off-track betting facility in the hopes that it will revitalize the downtown area. The new facility will located at Otter’s Pub located on Water Street. Autotote Enterprises will lease the space to place a group of HDTV’s. The TV’s will simulcast various racing events for betting purposes.

The Torrington Race View Center was the old location and the new location, at Otter’s Pub, is scheduled to open by October 25th, which just so happens to be the day of the Breeder’s Cup. Donald Barberino, Autotote’s director of marketing and public relations has stated the new facility will bring jobs and activity to the Torrington Center, which in turn will produce revenue.

A City Council meeting was held on September 3rd to discuss if the new location will warrant extra police protection for the area and if an increase in foot traffic could be expected for businesses in the area. Joanne Beyuns, the manager of Alfredo’s Deli, a local business, stated that she thinks the betting facility will be “good for business” and “There’s always going to be traffic here, I don’t think it will change anything.” Other concerns were that the new establishment would be like a bar and sell alcohol above the location.

Donald Barberino stated: “We want it to be a more comfortable environment” and that one of the goals of the betting facility will be to attract casual sports fans as well as betters. When the new addition opens, the downtown area will most likely see an increase in traffic that will benefit the betting facility as well as local businesses.


- 2008-09-04