NY Senator Plans Hearings on Racing, Gaming

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Photo: Associated Press

A New York City OTB

Republican New York Sen. John Bonacic said he plans to schedule hearings this year to discuss horse racing and casino gambling in New York.

Bonacic, who chairs the Senate Racing, Wagering, and Gaming Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued a release outlining his intentions.

“Whether we agree with every action taken or not, under the leadership of Gov. (Andrew) Cuomo and the Senate Majority Leader (Dean) Skelos, New York has changed for the better,” Bonacic said in a statement. “I want to build on that energy during the off-session to develop proposals which are capable of passing both the Assembly and Senate relating to both private casino gaming development and improvements to New York’s horse racing industry.”

Bonacic said he wants to consider whether the state should make out-of-state advance deposit wagering providers pay the same commissions as those located in state; whether all off-track betting corporations in the state should be “forced into a statutory merger,” and whether OTB corporations innovate; how the state can foster the agricultural aspects of horse breeding and training in New York; and whether the three-track franchise can be legally taken away from the New York Racing Association.

On the casino side, the senator wants to know which parties have an interest in developing “private-sector” casino gambling in the state rather than tribal casinos; and where such casinos could be located and how the horse racing industry can be involved.

Bonacic said he hopes to hold hearings in the Capitol Region, western New York, and Long Island in August and September.

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