Bet Monitor Has Contracts in Place in NY

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Advanced Monitoring Systems, selected by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board to provide independent wagering oversight, announced Oct. 19 it has deals in place with the three tote companies that service New York betting outlets.

AMS, awarded the New York contract Oct. 15, said it has agreements with AmTote, Scientific Games Racing, and United Tote. The company will monitor wagering at 11 Thoroughbred and Standardbred racetracks and six off-track betting corporations in New York.

“We look forward to working with (New York regulators) and New York stakeholders to assure the integrity of pari-mutuel wagering activity in New York State,” AMS president Isidore Sobkowski said in a statement. “Furthermore, based on its early adoption by Indiana and other states, and the interest we are receiving nationally and internationally, AMS strongly believes that our system will continue to gain wide acceptance in pari-mutuel as well as in the gaming, lottery, and financial sectors.”

AMS said its customers include Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Indiana, Mobile Greyhound Park in Alabama, and the Oregon State Lottery.

Independent monitoring systems have been touted by the Association of Racing Commissioners International. The Thoroughbred Racing Associations and Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, however, believe such systems aren’t necessary.

On Oct. 12, TRA executive vice president Chris Scherf called such systems a non-solution. He said “transactional monitoring” only addresses issues “post-incident,” not in real time; duplicates tote reports already processed by the TRPB; and “fails the cost-benefit analysis.”

New York State passed a law mandating an independent monitor. Lonny Powell, an adviser to AMS, claimed the system is the “lowest-cost solution” that can help combat negative perceptions about the integrity of the pari-mutuel industry.