New York State

Racing and Wagering Board

1 Broadway Center - Suite 600

Schenectady, NY 12305

www.racing.state.ny.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: JOE MAHONEY

Dec. 7, 2010 Cell: (518) 698-3879

Email: joseph.mahoney@racing.ny.gov

STATEMENT OF TOP RACING AND GAMING REGULATOR JOHN SABINI ON

NYS SENATE OTB VOTE

New York State Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John D. Sabini issued
the following statement today in reaction to the defeat of legislation by the
New York State Senate that would have provided immediate relief to the New
York City Off Track Betting Corp.:

“A pebble hitting the water causes a ripple – but this is a boulder hitting the
pond. The $840 million in total handle reported by New York City OTB in
2009 represented nearly 40 percent of New York’s total racing handle of $2.2
billion. Now, not only will NYC OTB workers lose their jobs, but every
segment of the racing industry – from feed store owners to horsemen to
those who board the equine athletes – will feel negative consequences.
Every county in New York State will experience an adverse impact.

“New York racing is a premier product nationally. It is critical that each

segment of the industry look long and hard at their role at making the sport
adapt to the entertainment and economic realities of 2011. The Racing and
Wagering Board will conduct a meeting at 12 p.m. noon tomorrow,
December 8, at our Schenectady office to consider emergency measures to
allow our stakeholders to better adapt to the market realities in a post NYC-
OTB environment.”

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