New York State's six regional Off-Track Betting corporations (OTB) were primarily established to create revenue for state and local governments and the horse racing industry. Over the past several years, some of these entities have experienced significant reductions in revenue and benefits to localities as wagering on horse racing has declined. With the recent bankruptcy filing and shut-down of New York City OTB paired with the claim that other regional OTBs are experiencing similar fiscal troubles and may be headed down the same path, questions have been raised as to whether having six separate regional OTB corporations is in the best interest of the state, local governments and the racing industry.

The purpose of this hearing is to evaluate the economic impact of merging all of the regional OTB corporations into one single entity in order to cut duplicable administrative and operating expenses, maximize the benefit these entities were originally created to provide and to ensure that the quality of New York's racing product remains intact.

Oral testimony will be by invitation only. Any persons invited to testify or wishing to present pertinent written testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form by December 13, 2010. It is important that the enclosed reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to fifteen minutes duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

J. Gary Pretlow
Member of Assembly
Chair
Committee on Racing & Wagering

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Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearing on the effects of merging the regional Off-track Betting Corporations are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, e-mail or fax it to: