What's happening
This bill creates a Racing Fan Advisory Council within the New York Gaming Commission to give horse racing fans a formal voice in regulation and promotion.
Why it matters
Direct fan input could shape horse racing policy. By formally involving fans in regulatory discussions and recommendations, the bill may help ensure that the needs and interests of regular racegoers are reflected in decision-making, potentially leading to rules and marketing efforts that better address what fans actually want.
Increased transparency and accountability. The council is empowered to propose ways to make regulatory decisions—such as those by stewards and presiding judges—that affect bettors more transparent, which could build public trust and attract more participation.
Potential for broader fan engagement and education. The council's duties include recommending actions to grow the sport's fan base, making the experience more appealing, and educating casual fans about the industry, which could help revitalize interest in horse racing and expand its audience.
Checks on industry influence. By prohibiting members from working for or representing racing corporations or industry groups, the council is designed to provide an independent fan perspective, potentially counterbalancing the voices of owners, breeders, and operators in policy debates.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Racing Fan Council
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 42
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to racing and wagering
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–1
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.254
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to racing and wagering
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 58–0
Show 4 earlier actions
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.343
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Create Racing Fan Council
In Assembly Committee · Racing And Wagering · Sponsor J. Gary Pretlow
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3158
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 20, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BONACIC -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering
AN ACT to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to creating the racing fan advisory council
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law is amended by adding a new section 103-a to read as follows:
§ 103-a. Racing fan advisory council. There is hereby established a racing fan advisory council within the commission which will operate as follows:
1. The council shall be composed of five members. None of the members of the council shall be employees or officers of the commission or be paid employees, lobbyists, or officers of any licensed or franchised racetrack or off-track betting corporation or any nonprofit corporation which represents breeders or horsemen. Members shall be selected based on their long-term involvement and interest in, knowledge of, and devotion to the sport of horse racing as fans of the sport. Five persons shall be appointed by the executive director of the commission. One person shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the chairperson of the senate committee on racing, gaming and wagering, and one person shall be appointed by the chairperson of the assembly committee on racing and wagering.
2. The chairperson of the council shall be selected by the executive director of the commission. The deputy chairperson shall be selected by a majority vote of the council from among the persons appointed at the recommendation of the chairpersons of the designated legislative committees.
3. The members of the council shall serve for a period of five years with all terms beginning September first, two thousand sixteen. In the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04133-02-7
S. 3158 2
event of a vacancy occurring during a term of appointment by reason of death, resignation, disqualification or otherwise, such vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
4. The racing fan advisory council shall request and shall receive the assistance and cooperation of the commission in regard to receipt of information relating to horse racing and wagering in this state.
5. The racing fan advisory council shall:
(a) have as its mission the growth of the fan base related to the sport of horse racing;
(b) recommend procedures to ensure that the opinion of the fan is a central part of the regulation of horse racing;
(c) prepare an annual report, and any other reports it deems necessary, to the commission regarding the operation of the state's thoroughbred and harness racetracks and the state's off-track betting corporations;
(d) advise the commission on appropriate actions to encourage fan attendance and wagering at the state's thoroughbred and harness racetracks and the state's off-track betting corporations;
(e) be authorized by the commission to enter upon the racetracks and their facilities regulated or controlled by the board during race times, and during periods of horse workouts, and during hours when members of the media are permitted to be present at the facilities;
(f) recommend changes to the rules of the commission and to the laws affecting horse racing;
(g) perform such other duties as may be increased by order of the commission;
(h) engage New York state's racing fan population on how to make the sport more appealing;
(i) recommend to the commission further procedures to make steward and presiding judge actions that impact the betting public more transparent; and
(j) work with relevant component industries to better educate the casual fan as to significant industry topics.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the members of the racing fan advisory council as created by resolution of the New York Gaming Commission dated September 1, 2016, shall be the initial members of the racing fan advisory council as established by this act.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to creating the racing fan advisory council
Purpose or general idea of bill
Codifies the existence of the Racing Fan Advisory Council which previously was created through resolution adopted by the Gaming Commission.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Amends the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law by adding a new section 103-a which creates the Racing Fan Advisory Council. It will be comprised of five (5) members who are chosen by the Executive Director of the Gaming Commission, one member chosen based upon the recommendation of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering and one member chosen upon the recommendation of the Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Racing and Wagering. The term of office for the members of the Racing Fan Advisory Council is five (5) years.
Section 2: Effective date.
Justification
In 2011, the Racing and Wagering Board created the Racing Fan Advisory Council by resolution to provide insight as to how to improve the sport of horseracing, from the viewpoint of racing fans. In September 2016 and updated resolution of the Gaming Commission continued their existence for another five years. The Racing Fan Advisory Council has been a success and should be made more permanent by being placed in statute.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that the members of the Racing Fan Advisory Council as created by resolution of the New York State Gaming Commission dated September 1, 2016, shall be the initial members of the Racing Fan Advisory Council as established by this act.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.