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A Brief History The State Legislature established the New York State Racing and Wagering Board in 1973. The Board was created to combine the functions of the various existing racing commissions to provide a centralized authority. Pursuant to statute, the Board was given "general jurisdiction over all horse racing activities and all pari-mutuel betting activities, both on-track and off-track, in the state and over the corporations, associations, and persons engaged therein." Prior to the 1973 enactment, the State had several Commissions that were charged with the regulation and oversight of legalized gambling that governed Thoroughbred Racing, Harness Racing, Quarter Horse Racing, Off-Track Betting and the Lottery. Under the new legislation, all these Commissions, except for the Lottery, were consolidated into the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. Of the consolidated commissions, the State Racing Commission was the oldest, having been established in 1895. The Commission also held the prestige of being the oldest racing regulatory body in the nation. When the Racing and Wagering Board assumed the powers and duties of the Racing Commission, a reconstituted State Racing Commission was created as an advisory board. In April 1970, New York State enacted a law permitting local communities to operate pari-mutuel off-track betting facilities. New York City OTB was the first, which started in 1971. Schenectady OTB followed in 1971, and then Western OTB commenced in 1974. Nassau OTB opened its first branch on January 31, 1975 followed by Suffolk OTB in April 1975 and Catskill OTB in 1976. At the time, simulcasting consisted of an audio signal, which was transmitted to the betting facilities. Simulcasting a live audiovisual signal was first authorized by the State Legislature in 1984 on an experimental basis and was extended permanently in 1990. The first permanent appointment to the Racing and Wagering Board was Joseph H. Boyd, Jr. Governor Nelson Rockefeller appointed him as a member on June 30, 1973. Emil Mosbacher, Jr., the first Chairman of the Board was appointed on August 1, 1973. In 1977, the functions of the Bingo Control Commission were transferred to the Board. Since this transfer the Board has regulated both bingo and games of chance conducted by religious, charitable and certain non-profit organizations. Bingo was authorized pursuant to a constitutional amendment passed in 1957. Games of chance were authorized by constitutional amendment in 1975. Finally, in 1993 the Board was given authority to regulate the Class III Indian gaming in the State pursuant to Compacts entered into between the State of New York and the Nation or Tribal Gaming Agency. Class III compacts exist between the State and the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and Seneca Nation of Indians. On April 16, 1993, Governor Mario M. Cuomo signed the Oneida Indian Nation of New York’s Compact on behalf of the State of New York. The Compact was subsequently approved by the Department of the Interior, on June 4, 1993. The Oneidas opened their Turning Stone Casino Resort on June 20, 1993. Governor Cuomo signed the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Compact on June 9, 1993. The Compact was subsequently approved by Interior on December 4, 1993. The Mohawks opened their Akwesasne Mohawk Casino on April 10, 1999. Finally, Governor George E. Pataki signed the Seneca Nation of Indians’ Compact on August 18, 2002. Approval was received from Interior on October 25, 2002. The Senecas opened their Seneca Niagara Casino on December 31, 2002, the Seneca Alleghany Casino on May 1, 2004, and the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino on July 3, 2007. Contained in each compact are standards and specifications for each game authorized for conduct at an Indian casino, the rules and internal controls governing the operation of the gaming facility, procedures for certification and/or registration of gaming employees and companies transacting business with the casino, and a system for mediating disputes. All Compacts were negotiated under the auspices of the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
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