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MICAH Z. KELLNER65
thAssembly District
THE ASSEMBLYSTATE OF NEW YORK
ALBANY COMMITTEES
BanksCities
Consumer Affairs and ProtectionEnvironmental Conservation
Racing & WageringSteering
834 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248 (518)
455-5676, FAX (518) 455-5282 1365 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10021
(212) 860-4906, FAX (917) 432-2983
E-mail: [email protected]
May 5, 2012 Contact: Ross M. WallensteinFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office: (212) 860-4906
Cell: (917) 602-2433Kellner Calls for Betting Machines to Be
Returned to New York City BarsWith todays Kentucky Derby, New
York will lose much needed education dollars
New York, NY On the day of the Kentucky Derby the most famous
horse race in America Assembly Member Micah Z. Kellner
(D-Manhattan), a member of the Assemblys Racing &Wagering
Committee, is calling on the New York State Racing, Wagering &
GamingCommission to return pari-mutuel betting machines to New York
City bars. Kellner isdemanding a portion of the money from the
machines be allocated for the state education budget.
Before New York Citys Off Track Betting (OTB) closed in 2010,
pari-mutuel machines wereinstalled in six bars throughout the five
boroughs, bringing in much needed revenue.Traditionally, the Derby
brought in $5 million by itself and the day saw collections of
$10million on the aggregate races. Since OTBs closure, the state is
losing out on that revenue.
In February, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) proposed
returning the bettingmachines to bars throughout the city
eventually bringing the total number up to 40 machines.The
estimated annual revenue from these machines would be $165 million.
Restaurants or barowners who choose to install the machines would
receive 1.6 percent of the gross draw as a fee.As of yet, the
Racing & Wagering Commission hasnt approved this plan
How is it that New York is such a bad bookie that we cant make a
buck on Derby day? saidAssembly Member Kellner. On the day of the
most famous race in the country, New York hasto get back on the
horse. The New York Racing, Wagering & Gaming Commission, with
itsstalling, is forcing not only the hardcore handicapper but the
casual Kentucky Derby fan toscratch from the race. New York State
is losing out on easy money. New Yorkers are losing out
on the chance to bet legally and simply by going to their
neighborhood bar. New Yorksschoolchildren most importantly are
losing out on resources for their future. The New YorkState Racing,
Wagering & Gaming Commission has to get out of the starting
gate and put themachines back into the six bars where they were
before.
Kellner is calling upon the Commission to begin the process of
installing the betting machines byPreakness (May 19th) and Belmont
Stakes (June 9th), the other two horse races which make upthe
Triple Crown.
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New York was once home to some of the greatest triple-crown
winners in history. But I dontneed to look at the odds this year.
New York has so mismanaged its racing industry that we areassured
to come in last. How is it that New York is such a dysfunctional
bookie that we cantmake a buck on derby day? continued Assembly
Member Kellner. I call on NYRA and theNew York Racing, Wagering
& Gaming Commission to put these machines back in our bars
and
restaurants immediately. This weekend, while racing fans all
over the country bet over $150million on the Kentucky Derby, New
York is deprived by not having a legal way to place bets bynot
having these machines in place. This is unacceptable.
FACTS
Since OTB closed in 2010, New York City has been losing millions
ofdollars in annual revenue by not having pari-mutuel betting
machinesin bars and restaurants.
In February, NYRA proposed putting the machines back into 40
barsand restaurants over a three year period.
NYRA estimates the machines would bring in $165 million in
totalrevenue ($10.5 million for NYRA per year).
The Kentucky Derby the most famous race in America is
responsiblefor $150 million every year around the country.
In New York City, OTB used to collect $5 million on the Derby
alone.
$10 million came in on the days aggregate races.
Playwrights Irish Bar is losing $4 million a year by not having
thebetting machines in place
The New York Racing, Wagering and Gaming Commission is the
onlyagency standing in the way of returning betting machines to
bars andrestaurants..
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