Off-Track Betting ‘Qwik Bets’ Hits Founders Tavern

owner Eric Russell has never been a big fan of any sort of quick draw game at a bar.

But late last fall, he began to consider installing Qwik Bet machines from Suffolk Off-Track Betting (OTB) for those interested in horse racing — or for those just looking for a different form of entertainment. The machines have been up and running at the Southold tavern as of last week.

“I would never have quick draw in this bar — it interrupts customer service and is too much for the bartender to run,” Russell said. “But the OTB machines have little impact on the bartender or the customer who wants nothing to do with it.”

Last March, OTB filed for bankruptcy and closed several full-service betting parlors across the county, including one in Riverhead. A year later, the company has opened 19 Qwik Bet locations at neighborhood bars as part of their reorganization to become profitable, according to OTB spokesperson Debbie Pfeiffer.

“We’ve made a big push with the Qwik Bet, since we did have to close a number of branches last year, so folks can still wager especially on the big race days,” she said. “Our employees will be available on those big days to help first-time betters — we don’t want people to be intimidated by these machines.”

All the bartender has to do is give the customer a cash voucher from a machine at the bar, then the voucher is used to make the bet at the Qwik Bet machines located at the end of the far end of the barroom.

Southampton Publick House has had Qwik Bet available in their taproom for almost a year now and owner Don Sullivan said it fits in perfectly.

“Our taproom is geared toward a sports theme, so I don’t think they’re out of place,” he said. “They have a subtle impact — we don’t run it all night long. Some people place a few bets and stay for a drink or a bite to eat, others bet and then leave. It’s no different that any other major sport — it brings people in.”

Sullivan agreed with Russell that quick draw machines do have too much impact on customer service but that lotto machines are just a part of the landscape in retail and restaurant establishments.

“Restaurants and bars are changing quite a bit, and you’ve got to change with them,” he said.

In Southold, Russell said his customers are having fun with the new horse betting.

“Some people aren’t as versed as others, but it’s something different for them to do,” he said.

See attached PDF for full listing of Suffolk Qwik Bet locations.