Bill > A05923

This bill amends the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law to modify payment structures for licensed regional harness tracks from off-track betting (OTB) corporations. Specifically, the bill changes the percentage and conditions under which harness tracks receive payments during the first 120 days of a calendar year when a franchised corporation is not conducting a race meeting. The bill reduces the percentage of payment for wagers on out-of-state thoroughbred tracks from one and one-half percent to three-quarters of one percent. Additionally, the bill introduces a gradual reduction of additional payments to harness tracks over several years: for calendar years through 2025, OTB corporations will pay two percent of excess wagering handle; this will decrease to 1.5 percent in 2026, one percent in 2027, and half a percent in 2028, after which no further additional payments will be required. The bill also provides a mechanism for proportionally reducing payments if a regional harness track reduces its number of racing programs, ensuring that payment obligations are adjusted based on actual racing activity. These changes aim to provide a more flexible and sustainable financial framework for harness tracks and OTB corporations.

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https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5923