New York has a rocky path to more gambling

Editorial
New York has a rocky path to more gambling

An audit released by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli yesterday said the New York Racing Association, operator of Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga racetracks, continues to bleed money and hasn't implemented recommendations from previous audits. Among other problems, NYRA hasn't done surprise cash counts at the windows, looked for money-saving reforms or, in the case of some exotic wagers, paid winners all they're owed.

NYRA expects to lose $20 million this year on racing. It declared bankruptcy in 2006, emerging only after a $100-million bailout from Albany. The tracks are suffering because, beyond the management issues, racing has a limited fan base. Yet thanks to the state's video lottery terminals at racetracks, which are set to provide NYRA $47 million this year, the horse folks won't feel much need to change.

The state's gambling operations have become increasingly convoluted, from the off-track betting payments to NYRA to the New York City OTB closure to the Suffolk OTB bankruptcy filing to Indian casinos not paying taxes, and back to the slots players subsidizing horse bettors, and owners.

Now Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo wants a constitutional amendment to legalize non-Indian-operated casinos in the state. To do it right, he also needs to unwind all of Albany's little deals that have grown up around gambling in this state, a long-shot legislative ticket New Yorkers need to see cashed.