[3] The law was meant to curb illegal bookmakers and provide a revenue source for state and local governments.
[6] The current system of regional OTB corporations was enacted in 1973[7] and parlors began showing live video feeds of races, referred to as simulcasting, in 1984.
[10] Mayor Rudy Giuliani attempted to privatize the corporation, and in 2001 the bid was won by Magna Entertainment and Greenwood Racing over a partnership between NYRA and Churchill Downs Incorporated.
[1] In addition to New York City, thirteen other counties, Allegany, Delaware, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, Ontario, Otsego, Saratoga, Schoharie, Tompkins, Westchester, and Yates do not have any OTB parlors.
[17] From these revenues, payments are made to the state, participating counties and cities, racetracks, and funds to support the racing industry.
After the OTB's operating expenses are paid, any remaining profits are disbursed to the state and the participating counties and cities.
Capital District Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation covers sixteen counties including the cities of Albany and Schenectady.
Kathy Hochul released a long-buried report from the Cuomo administration, accusing Catskill OTB of waste, mismanagement and hoarding of broken equipment.