by Lee Park, director of communications, New York State Racing and Wagering Board
Schenectady, NY — The New York State Racing and Wagering Board today announced the continuation of online video streaming of Thoroughbred and harness races in New York state throughout the 2013 calendar year.
The action extends an agreement forged in 2010 and renewed in 2011 by the Racing and Wagering Board in the wake of New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation’s closure in December 2010. The collaboration was forged to compensate for revenue lost in the wake of New York City OTB’s closure and also to give the betting public easy access to view live racing on the Internet.
“This industry-wide agreement has produced positive results for New York’s horse racing over the past two years and it is imperative that we continue the partnership and give fans access to the sport,” Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John D. Sabini said. “I applaud the tracks and off-track betting corporations for recognizing the value of extending video streaming of New York’s horse racing and ensuring its continued viability.”
An examination of handle and account data from The New York Racing Association, Inc., Yonkers and the five regional OTBs for the first nine months of 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 shows the entities experienced a combined 17 percent increase in account wagering handle and a 16 percent increase in the total number of accounts. This increase occurred even with Yonkers closing its account wagering platform on March 31, 2012.
The renewed agreement includes all the OTBs and track operators in New York State. Included in the agreement are: The New York Racing Association, Inc., Capital District Regional OTB, Catskill Regional OTB, Nassau Regional OTB, Suffolk Regional OTB, Western Regional OTB and the operators of Batavia Downs, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, Buffalo Raceway, Finger Lakes Racetrack, Monticello Raceway, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway and Yonkers Raceway.