In a move sure to surprise the online gambling industry, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board agreed to new regulations that would allow the state’s racetracks and off-track betting facilities (OTBs) to accept wagers via the Internet.  The new regulations are expected to take effect on January 22.

New York’s District Attorney is notoriously opposed to online gambling and the state has instigated some of the largest online gambling busts in the nation, which makes some in the online gambling industry view the new regulations as hypocritical.  Others, however, prefer to take a more positive approach to the news and suggest that it indicates a step in the direction towards total acceptance of online gambling.

The new regulation significantly loosens the current limits on online wagering under which only ‘authorized entities’ can take wagers over the phone on OTBs and racetracks in New York.  The new regulations make it possible to make wagers in person, via any telephone device including cell phones, the Internet or other electronic channels.

“"I think this is a breakthrough," said Bill Nader, the New York Racing Association's (NYRA) senior vice president and chief operating officer. "If you're trying to introduce thoroughbred racing to a new audience, this is a step forward. Somebody under 35 would rather use their [personal computer] than the telephone. We think our website is going to be very attractive and very exciting."  Nader also said that the NYRA is focusing all its energies on being ready by the launch date.

Ray Casey, president of New York City OTB, said that for the last two years he has been aggressively lobbying for Internet wagering: “To me it's part of some of the tools that I thought were critical for not only OTB's future but horse racing in general: an ability to take advantage of technology and make horse racing more accessible for the X and Y generation."

Casey is confident that all six of the state’s OTB corporations will have a common website at which to wager by the end of the summer.  He also said that the possibility of becoming a partner with an out-of-state provider is still open and it depends on whether or not that provider’s technology is what Casey terms ‘best of breed’.

Posted on: January 5, 2007

Add This Gambling Article To:
Del.icio.us	Digg	Google	Spurl
Furl	Simpy	Y! MyWeb

Back to January 2007's archive
Back to latest News