Mohegan Sun Bids for New York Racing

Posted on Tuesday, July 17th, 2007

Mohegan Sun, which operates one of the world’s most successful casinos in Connecticut, has formed a partnership with one of the bidders hoping to run thoroughbred racing in New York. The Indian tribal company has teamed up with Capital Play in seeking the 20-year franchise to operate Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga race tracks.

Read full story: "Mohegan Sun Bids for New York Racing"...

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New York Horse Racing Franchise. Betting Rebate Shops a Concern

Posted on Thursday, July 5th, 2007

By Tom LaMarra and Tom Precious

A report by the New York Office of Inspector General to Gov. Eliot Spitzer lists four ???general areas of concern??? among the four entities seeking the franchise to operate Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga, including relationships with rebate shops and bookmakers who take bets on horse racing from the United States.

The Office of Inspector General was ordered by Spitzer to conduct a due diligence review of the ethics and integrity of the groups seeking the franchise: Capital Play, Empire Racing Associates, Excelsior Racing Associates, and the New York Racing Association, which currently holds the franchise. The report was released July 2.

The four general areas of concern are all four entities have some ties to rebate shops; several individuals didn???t return fingerprint packages; the report found ???numerous civil lawsuits involving key persons or business entities??? involved with all four bidders; and some individuals associated with the bidding groups have made legal but ???sizable contributions??? to New York political leaders.

Spitzer didn???t use the report to make any indications about who he believes should get the Thoroughbred racing franchise. Government sources recently said the Spitzer administration was warm to a plan that would let NYRA continue running racing while giving Excelsior Racing Associates the gambling side of the franchise, which could include video lottery terminal casinos at Aqueduct and Belmont.

The administration may recommend awarding one entity the right to operate racing and a different entity the right to manage non-racing development and gaming operations, or may recommend that a single entity be awarded the racing franchise and also be given responsibility for developing gaming and other non-racing operations, Spitzer said in a written statement. full story

See the complete report on New York horse racing franchise.

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Saratoga Announces Fireworks and Concert Schedule

Posted on Friday, June 29th, 2007

The luckiest day of the year? While scholars and skeptics across the country debate the significance of 7-7-07, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway already knows what it means: more cash and prize giveaways! And the luck is extending to the entire week with fireworks, the Gin Blossoms, and hot dance nights.

Read full story: "Saratoga Announces Fireworks and Concert Schedule"...

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NYRA Horse Racing Betting Web Site Opposed by Connecticut

Posted on Friday, May 4th, 2007

The grand opening of the Internet wagering site approved by the New York State Racing and Wagering board, has been delayed by one day after protests from the Connecticut Attorney General???s office were sent to the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and New York gambling regulators. The planned site for horseracing and greyhound racing drew unexpected ire from Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal…

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Magna, New York City Off-Track Betting Corp Publishes Results of Study

Posted on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007

For many years, MEC, as North America’s largest owner and operator of horse racetracks, based on revenue, has observed the failing business model for horse racing in New York State, including the difficult relationship between the racetracks and the off-track betting networks operating in the State.MEC has long been concerned regarding this and similar situations throughout horse racing in North America, including the fact that not enough is being done to update our industry’s decades old regulatory framework. Other sports and other forms of gaming and entertainment that have not been similarly constrained have flourished in the absence of constraints like those hindering horse racing.

MEC applauds the leadership of the City of New York, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation (NYCOTB) for undertaking the study “NYCOTB - A Plan for Transformation and Growth” that was published today. The major findings of the NYCOTB report, summarized below, parallel the business strategy that MEC has followed since its inception in 1998, namely to:

1) Pursue restructuring of the racing industry's economics and consider
closer collaboration and perhaps integration of racetracks and OTBs;
and

2) Drive growth through increased consumer access via multiple,
convenient platforms by deploying new technologies such as the
Internet, mobile and interactive TV.

MEC believes that horse racing needs to be like any other major league sport engaging customers where customers want to be engaged, whether in their living rooms (via TV or Internet) or with family and friends at a local sports bar (OTB) or at the venue (racetrack).MEC agrees with the study’s conclusion that there are substantial growth opportunities available in the horse racing and gaming entertainment business, and also agrees that regulatory reform is essential for such opportunities to be realized.

Michael Neuman, Chief Executive Officer of MEC stated, “As a participant in one of the bid groups for the New York racing franchise, we pledge to use our position constructively to bring about the changes necessary to ensure a successful future for horse racing in New York. In our view, such success will only be achieved by recognizing the inter-dependence of the racetracks and the OTB networks. The study released today should help propel enlightened industry participants to the same conclusion. The winners will be the thousands of New Yorkers who depend on horse racing for their livelihood as well as the State, the City of New York and the other municipalities in New York for which horse racing provides substantial economic benefits. And when they win, so will the customers of New York horse racing and so will the entire North American horse racing industry.”

MEC, North America’s largest owner and operator of horse racetracks, based on revenue, acquires, develops, owns and operates horse racetracks and related pari-mutuel wagering operations, including off-track betting facilities. MEC also develops, owns and operates casinos in conjunction with its racetracks where permitted by law. MEC owns and operates AmTote International, Inc., a provider of totalisator services to the pari-mutuel industry, XpressBet(R), a national Internet and telephone account wagering system, as well as MagnaBet(TM) internationally. Pursuant to joint ventures, MEC has a fifty percent interest in HorseRacing TV, a 24-hour horse racing television network, and TrackNet Media Group LLC, a racing content management and distribution company.

tags: horse racing, New York horse racing, horseracing, NYRA

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Saratoga Gaming And Raceway - Racino Expansion

Posted on Wednesday, January 24th, 2007

Note: Saratoga Gaming Adn Raceway is a racino (race track casino) - it is different from the Saratoga summer thoroughbred horse racing meet.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Saratoga Gaming and Raceway unveiled more of its expansion plans Tuesday. New York State’s first video gaming facility announced celebration plans for its third anniversary, along with expansion progress and construction bid awards.

Construction on the addition is moving ahead towards an anticipated opening in May. The total number of video gaming machines offered is expanding by 431 to more than 1700 total. The new gaming floor area will also host a High Limit area featuring games with denominations up to $25. The new Garden Buffet restaurant will seat approximately 300 guests and will offer reasonably priced selections from an array of international cuisines.

The night club, Vapor, will be designed to host a number of different entertainment options such as live bands and performers; disc jockeys; and special events including major sporting events and private parties. It features two floors of seating and two full-scale bars. Vapor is already booking into the summer with special events including two high-profile charity fundraisers; Boogie Off Broadway to benefit the Double H Ranch, and the 25th Annual Hospital Gala to benefit Saratoga Hospital.

Architectural design for the project was completed by Connecticut-based JCJ Architecture, the same firm that designed the gaming facility and Fortunes restaurant. Buffalo-based LPCiminelli has been selected as the general contractor, with construction crews supplied by local sub-contractors. Construction contracts have been awarded to August Bohl Contracting Company, Condor Fire & Sprinkler, D.A. Collins Companies, Falcon, LLC East, General Mechanical Group, Kasselman Electric Co., Otis Elevator, and Stone Bridge Iron & Steel. The expansion project will create approximately 100 new, permanent job positions. The official ground breaking took place on October 2, 2006.

The third anniversary celebration will include a grand prize drawing held on the anniversary date, January 28, featuring a 2007 Hummer H3 giveaway and $12,000 in cash prizes. That brings the total prize giveaways for the month of January to over $130,000. In addition, the buffet restaurant, Fortunes, will be offering a Prime Rib dinner for only $14.95 Tuesday through Saturday in January and February.

2006 was a record breaking year for the Harness racing track. Prior to the addition of the gaming facility in 2004, the highest total purses were $3.1 million dollars; in 2006 that amount rose to $12 million dollars, and the handle increased last year to a record $64 million dollars. “On the 2006 Breeder’s Cup day alone racing handle was a record $905,000,” said John Matarazzo, Director of Racing Operations. He projects that in 2007 the purses will exceed $13 million dollars. In 2007 there will be 170 live harness racing days and simulcasting will increase to seven days a week. Live harness racing resumes on February 2 at 7:00pm.

The first gaming facility to open in New York State, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway boasts over 1,300 state-of-the-art video gaming machines, a full service restaurant with buffet, three full-service bars, a food court and deli, a gift shop, and a variety of guest services including valet parking and coat check. Patrons can participate in our player rewards program, Player Extras Club while visiting the property. The 55,000 square foot gaming floor cost $15 million to construct and employs an additional 300 local residents. Our full service restaurant, overlooking the excitement of live harness racing, seats 400 guests and can accommodate large group events. Video gaming and food and beverage operations at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway are managed by Delaware North Companies Inc., a leading hospitality and entertainment management group headquartered in Buffalo, NY.

- Free Saratoga horse racing tips, odds, results and picks.
- Video slot machines online.

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Mobile Phone Betting for Aqueduct, Belmont & Saratoga

Posted on Saturday, January 13th, 2007

Forget hanging out in off-track betting parlors. New Yorkers will soon be allowed to make their horse racing bets online or via cell phone.

Starting January 22, New York plans to allow people to place bets on horse racing via the Internet or other electronic platforms, including cell phones, thanks to a new regulation adopted by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. A company called Sona Mobile plans to sell racetrack software that will make it easier for people to make bets from their mobile handsets.

Shawn Krelloff, chief executive of Sona, believes the regulations, coupled with his company’s software, could breathe new life into the New York horse racing industry.

“Generally, horse racing appeals to an older, male demographic,” he said. “They’re the guys who go to the track or hang out in OTB (off-track betting) parlors. Placing wagers from a cell phone appeals to a younger generation. And that could incrementally grow revenue for the industry.”

Sona has already struck a deal with the New York Racing Association, the owner and operator of the three largest racetracks in New York. Initially, the deal calls for Sona to help build NYRA’s Web site for online betting. The company also hopes to sell NYRA its mobile software to enable wagers from cell phones.

Gambling is highly regulated in the United States, with most forms of off-site wagering banned in every state, except Nevada. The only off-site betting that is allowed in roughly 35 states is on horse or dog racing. In some states like New York, off-track betting parlors have been set up to take bets. And people are able to call in bets from a telephone. [via cNet tech news]

HorsesWild has Triple Crown 2007 trail (Kentucky Derby, Preakness & Belmont Stakes)

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