'Not An Arcade': Esports Gaming Center Will Open In Smith Haven Mall

Smithtown NY

24 May, 2022

3:58 PM

Description

LAKE GROVE, NY — "It's not an arcade": A new esports gaming center got the go-ahead by Smithtown Town last month to open in the Smith Haven Mall. Belong Gaming submitted an application in March for a special exemption to open in the Lake Grove mall. In April, the town approved the application. A lawyer representing Belong Gaming, William Bonesso, explained to the town board on March 24 that the gaming center "is not an arcade. It will modern gaming technology... to allow players to compete" with other players from all over the world, and participate in tournaments and leagues. The 5,000 square foot space in the mall was formerly used for retail. There will be age restrictions on games and a private party space in the center, Bonesso said. There will also be games, gaming consoles and other merchandise for sale. Belong Gaming operates gaming centers in the U.S. and the U.K. The Smith Haven mall spot will be the company's first on Long Island.