Off-track betting to pause in Catskill area

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -There are 13 different bars and restaurants that offer kiosks for horse betting through Catskill OTB. But at the end of November, the corporation will put all betting on hold.

After bringing in nearly $750 million in revenue since its inception, Wanda Williams, the Catskill OTB President, says betting on horse races in her regions is on the decline along with earnings. "The market began to shift and change when there was an introduction of VLTs, casinos, and sports betting."

Pausing operations during covid, led Catskill OTB to move away from betting lounges and into kiosks to cut costs. 900 members also use its app to bet regularly. Williams says they’re only making 6 to 7 cents per racing dollar bet and is looking to make changes internally and at the State level.

"What we need to have is additional products and a way forward where there some amendments or repeals to some of the racing laws that have been put in place that has a detrimental impact on the operation of OTBs," explained Williams.

Betting will be on pause starting November 30. The corporation will continue employing its 14 workers during this time.

In response, the State Gaming Commission has sent the President two letters, calling the pause a closure and blaming Catskill OTB, claiming there has been, "...a pattern of mismanagement that has plagued the organization for years."

The Gaming Commission has also asked for a formal closure plan. Notices posted by the kiosks say all winning tickets purchased at a Catskill OTB location must be cashed by December 15. Williams has not yet responded to the Gaming Commission’s claims but did confirm this is not a closure. These kiosks will be staying inside bars like Mariner's Harbor during the process.