Senator Larkin Comments On Release Of Racing Industry Report

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) commented on today’s release of the New York State racing industry report by the Boston Consulting Group.

"The report contains a thorough and thoughtful analysis of the competing interests and objectives present within the New York State racing industry," said Senator Larkin. "It also outlines several challenges facing the industry as competitive opportunities to horse racing have become more numerous and attractive to the betting public in recent years."

Larkin continued, "The study correctly observes that ‘there is an urgent need to develop a strategy for a new racing paradigm in the State and to correct fundamental issues facing both the tracks and OTBs throughout the State.’ The necessity of addressing and crafting the appropriate strategy for preserving the pre-eminence of the Empire State as a racing industry leader is well understood and acknowledged by the Senate leadership and the Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering.

I look forward to working with the City and its consultants, as well as all other racing constituencies, to evaluate proposals designed to revise the Racing, Pari-Mutuel and Breeding Law. We will continue our work to foster a vibrant racing industry in this State and fulfill the mandate of the Article I, Section 9 of the State Constitution that a reasonable revenue for the support of government, state and local, is generated from legalized pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing."