Bettors and Racing Fans

need not be Fordham Law School Professors to know that if Nassau OTB is not open, you can't bet at Nassau OTB and that you can't close Nassau OTB based on the religious preference of Andrew Cuomo. Let the campaign decide? 

August 25, 2014

lee.park@gaming.ny.gov

RACING FAN ADVISORY COUNCIL ANNOUNCES AUGUST 28 SARATOGA RACE COURSE FORUM WITH HOST RICH MIGLIORE

The New York State Racing Fan Advisory Council will host a fan forum at Saratoga Race Course on Thursday, August 28 after the day’s last race at the Alabama Suite. Legendary jockey and horse racing analyst Richard Migliore will moderate the event.

The New York State Racing Fan Advisory Council is charged with collecting ideas, concerns and issuing formal recommendations on improving horse racing to state government and policymakers. The event will be a great opportunity for race fans to share ideas on how to make racing more attractive and appealing to new fans, and how to improve the sport for current fans.

Attend and provide your input on how the fan experience can be improved at New York race tracks.

WHAT:                Racing Fan Advisory Council Fan Forum with Richard Migliore

WHEN:                Thursday, August 28 immediately following the last race.

WHERE:             Alabama Suite (Located at the beginning of the Clubhouse turn; Entrance to the Suite is located at the Nelson Ave. entrance to the track)

Saratoga Race Course

267 Union Avenue

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

***OPEN PRESS***

Learn more about the Racing Fan Advisory Council at www.gaming.ny.gov/horseracing > Racing Fan Advisory Council.

Questions, ideas and concerns may also be submitted to racingfan@gaming.ny.gov. 

Stop scratching on holidays
Published: June 1, 2012

Off Track Betting in New York State has been racing into a crisis called shrinking revenue. Some people have spitballed a solution: Don’t close on holidays.

New York State Racing Law bars racing on Christmas, Easter and Palm Sunday, and the state has ruled OTBs can’t handle action on those days, even though they could easily broadcast races from out of state.

“You should be able to bet whenever you want,” said Jackson Leeds, a Nassau OTB employee who makes an occasional bet. He added some irrefutable logic: “How is the business going to make money if you’re not open to take people’s bets?”

Elias Tsekerides, president of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, said OTB is open on Greek Orthodox Easter and Palm Sunday.

“I don’t want discrimination,” Tsekerides said. “They close for the Catholics, but open for the Greek Orthodox? It’s either open for all or not open.”

OTB officials have said they lose millions by closing on Palm Sunday alone, with tracks such as Gulfstream, Santa Anita, Turf Paradise and Hawthorne running.

One option: OTBs could just stay open and face the consequences. New York City OTB did just that back in 2003. The handle was about $1.5 million – and OTB was fined $5,000.

Easy money.

 

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