Legislation would strengthen state OTB corporations

Assemblyman Ed Ra introduced three bills to revitalize horse racing 

Posted March 29, 2011 

Franklin Square’s Nassau County OTB Corporation branch, at 1063 Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square, would be able to bring in more revenue, and keep more of that revenue, if three bills recently introduced by Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Elmont) become law.

JACKIE NASH/HERALD

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By Jackie Nash

Assemblyman Ed Ra recently introduced three bills that would help state off-track betting corporations, including racetracks, keep more of the money that is spent on their premises and create more business for them. Ra’s legislation reintroduces three bills offered by Assemblyman Bob Barra (R-Lynbrook) in the 2009-10 legislative session.

“All of New York state’s regional off-track betting corporations are currently in financial distress, despite the fact that they all have acted to reduce inefficiencies and streamline operations,” Ra said. “This result is due in large part to the increased burden of statutory distribution payouts that have been imposed upon them. These increased payments have resulted in not only endangering the economic viability of the regional corporations, but also in decreased payments to their stakeholders — municipal governments.”