Local New Yorkers may soon be able to wager on sports directly at horse racetracks, thanks to new legislation. Lawmakers are pushing A5923, a sports betting bill that would allow for sportsbooks to be available at in-state horse tracks. New York sports betting would expand to these retail locals should the measure pass.
New York Horse Racetracks The New Sportsbooks?
The legislation would see New York sportsbooks accessible while attending horse races in NY. The goal is to see sports bettors become attracted to horse racing by adding the option. This could lead to increased handle for horse racing as well.
The bill is sponsored by Assemb. David Weprin and would require a constitutional amendment in order to pass. This would give racetracks the same authority over sports betting as local casinos.
“Authorizes gambling on professional sporting events and athletic events sponsored by universities or colleges at betting facilities located at thoroughbred and harness racetracks operating in this state, in simulcast theaters operated by off-track betting corporations and in any constitutionally authorized casino facility; provides that the proceeds of such gambling be applied exclusively to or in aid or support of education.”
A5923
If the measure is successful, the retail sports betting market in New York would see its first expansion since 2019. While lawmakers did expand sports betting as a whole by allowing for online sportsbooks, retail operations have remained untouched.
Will The New York Sports Betting Measure Pass?
The likelihood of seeing this measure succeed is not far off. There has been a consorted effort within the legislation to integrate horse racing and sports betting for some time. Sen. Joe Addabbo attempted to include fixed odds horse race betting at local books.
Sen. Addabbo is the mastermind behind S8471, the measure that would eventually lead to online sportsbooks launching in NY. The horse racing efforts failed in 2022, however, as only parimutuel horse race betting is legal.
This measure in particular is focused on bringing sports betting to racetracks. There is no direct opposition to the proposal thus far, showing good signs early on for the measure. Fans could potentially see more options to wager in the Big Apple.
