Bill > S06594

This bill modifies how funds from video lottery gaming at various racetracks in New York are allocated, fundamentally shifting the focus from supporting the horse racing industry to funding education. Specifically, the bill redirects percentages of vendor fees previously designated for racing-related purposes (such as enhancing purses, breeding funds, and capital expenditures) to instead be deposited into the state lottery fund for additional grants to school districts. These grants will prioritize schools serving students with disabilities and schools with preschool special education programs. For example, at Aqueduct racetrack, instead of supporting racing purses, 6.5-7.5% of total wagered funds will now go directly to the state education system. The bill removes previous provisions about funding horse racing operations, breeding programs, and jockey health insurance, and replaces them with education-focused funding mechanisms. Additionally, the bill makes similar changes for video lottery gaming facilities in Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, and other counties, consistently redirecting racing-related funds toward educational grants. The legislation aims to reprioritize the allocation of video lottery gaming revenues from supporting the horse racing industry to supporting public education.

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https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6594