Bill > A05924

This bill amends the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law to modify the payment structure for off-track betting (OTB) corporations to regional harness tracks from out-of-state and out-of-country thoroughbred simulcast revenue. Currently, when the statewide wagering handle after 7:30 PM on out-of-state and out-of-country thoroughbred races exceeds $100 million, OTB corporations must pay regional harness tracks a percentage of their share of the excess handle. The bill introduces a graduated reduction of this payment percentage over several years: two percent through 2025, 1.5 percent in 2026, one percent in 2027, and 0.5 percent in 2028. After 2028, there will be no additional payment obligation. In regions with multiple harness tracks, the payment will be divided proportionally based on their live harness race handle from the previous year, with 50 percent of the received funds specifically designated for increasing purses, stakes, and prizes at the regional harness track. Notably, wagering from multi-jurisdictional account wagering providers within New York will be excluded when calculating the $100 million threshold.

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https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5924