What's happening
This bill changes rules for simulcasting horse races, requiring regional tracks to provide written authorization within a 40-mile radius and clarifying when approval cannot be unreasonably withheld.
Why it matters
Strengthens local track influence. By requiring written authorization from a regional track for simulcasting within a 40-mile radius, the bill gives local tracks more control over whether nearby off-track betting facilities can broadcast their races, which could impact their attendance and revenue.
Limits potential for unreasonable obstruction. The new language clarifies that while regional tracks have authority, they cannot "unreasonably" withhold approval for simulcasting between 0 and 40 miles. This aims to balance protections for local tracks with opportunities for off-track betting operators.
Maintains exceptions for certain races and regions. The bill preserves exemptions—such as for simulcasting thoroughbred races in the Catskill region during mixed meetings—ensuring some flexibility remains for specific types of races and locations.
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Who cares
Regional racetracks
The bill would bar them from unreasonably withholding required written authorization for simulcasting facilities anywhere within their 40-mile radius, extending a restriction now limited to facilities between 31 and 40 miles away.
Off-track betting operators
Branches within 31 miles of a regional track would gain protection against unreasonable refusals of the track’s required simulcasting authorization.
State racing regulators
The board would continue to require regional-track authorization before approving covered applications, but the reasonable-consent standard would apply throughout the 40-mile radius.
Headline styles
Allow More Off-Track Simulcasts
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to racing and wagering
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–3
- Ordered to third reading cal.1978
- Referred to rules
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.
Stop Unfair Simulcast Blocking
In Assembly Committee · Racing And Wagering · Sponsor Carrie Woerner
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6675
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 12, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AMEDORE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to justification for consent to authorize the simulcasting of horse races run at a regional track at off-track betting branch offices
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph c of subdivision 2 of section 1008 of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, as amended by chapter 18 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
(ii) For any simulcasting facility located within an area of a circle whose radius is forty miles, the center of which shall be measured from a regional track, and as provided in section one thousand thirteen of this [chapter] article, the board shall not approve such application unless such regional track, as described in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, has given its written authorization, provided however, that [between thirty-one and forty miles] such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such approval shall not be required if the simulcasting facility is located without the forty mile radius or if the sending track is a thoroughbred track in the Catskill region conducting a mixed meeting. Such written authorization shall not be required nor shall the provisions of section five hundred twenty-three of this chapter apply to those races that such regional track may elect to receive as a simulcast race during its regularly scheduled race meeting.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13177-01-7
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 justification for consent to authorize the simulcasting of horse races run at a regional track at off-track betting branch offices
Purpose
This legislation requires a track operator within certain mile restrictions in their regions to provide a reasonable rationale to the State Racing and Wagering Board in the event consent for a simulcasting facility is denied. If a reasonable rationale is not given, the Board shall grant consent to the regional off-track betting corporation.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Requires a track to provide reasonable rationale to the Board in the event consent for a simulcasting facility is denied.
Section 2. Establishes the effective date.
Justification
Current law requires that for any simulcasting facility located within an area of a circle whose radius is forty miles from a regional track, the Board shall not approve such application unless such regional track has given its written authorization, provided, however, that between thirty-one and forty miles such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
This legislation would require a track to provide reasonable rationale to the Board in the event consent for a simulcasting facility is denied, even for simulcast facilities located within thirty miles of the track.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications to state and local governments
None to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.