THE ASSEMBLY STATE OF NEW YORK ALBANY

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MICAH Z. KELLNER th 65 Assembly District

May 5, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ross M. Wallenstein Office: (212) 860-4906 Cell: (917) 602-2433

Kellner Calls for Betting Machines to Be Returned to New York City Bars
With 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 & Gaming Commission to return pari-mutuel betting machines to New York City bars. Kellner is demanding 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 were installed 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 $10 million 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 betting machines 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 bar owners 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? said Assembly Member Kellner. On the day of the most famous race in the country, New York has to get back on the horse. The New York Racing, Wagering & Gaming Commission, with its stalling, is forcing not only the hardcore handicapper but the casual Kentucky Derby fan to scratch 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 Yorks schoolchildren most importantly are losing out on resources for their future. The New York State Racing, Wagering & Gaming Commission has to get out of the starting gate and put the machines back into the six bars where they were before. Kellner is calling upon the Commission to begin the process of installing the betting machines by Preakness (May 19th) and Belmont Stakes (June 9th), the other two horse races which make up the Triple Crown.
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: KellnerM@assembly.state.ny.us

New York was once home to some of the greatest triple-crown winners in history. But I dont need to look at the odds this year. New York has so mismanaged its racing industry that we are assured to come in last. How is it that New York is such a dysfunctional bookie that we cant make a buck on derby day? continued Assembly Member Kellner. I call on NYRA and the New 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 $150 million on the Kentucky Derby, New York is deprived by not having a legal way to place bets by not having these machines in place. This is unacceptable.

FACTS Since OTB closed in 2010, New York City has been losing millions of dollars in annual revenue by not having pari-mutuel betting machines in bars and restaurants. In February, NYRA proposed putting the machines back into 40 bars and restaurants over a three year period. NYRA estimates the machines would bring in $165 million in total revenue ($10.5 million for NYRA per year). The Kentucky Derby the most famous race in America is responsible for $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 the betting machines in place The New York Racing, Wagering and Gaming Commission is the only agency standing in the way of returning betting machines to bars and restaurants..

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