NYRA Delays Aqueduct Video Slots

Delays have been placed on the arrival of video slots to the Aqueduct race track in New York.  The New York Racing Association claimed the video slot machines would begin operating between Labor Day and Thanksgiving of this year.  Now the reported arrival of what many consider the financial savior of the NYRA will not occur until 2007. 

According to the NYRA President Charles Hayward, it simply took longer then they originally hoped to gain the necessary approval of state agencies and MGM Mirage, the vendor, for the video slot machines.

Perhaps to avoid breaking anymore promises, Hayward declined issuing a new date for the installation for the video slot machines.  Hayward confirms that the NYRA will have the capital to continue running thoroughbred races through 2006 thanks to a $30 million state bailout and better than expected  revenue from January and February. 

Hayward did have good news.  New York’s racing oversight board just approved the MGM contract this past Tuesday.  This means construction on the $170 million Queens facility may begin very soon.  Aqueduct’s VLT parlor is expected to carry 4,500 video slot machines and gross $400 million annually for the state. 

Since 1955, the NYRA has run thoroughbred racing in the New York state.  It points the finger at off-track betting and other forms in gambling for it severe loss in business.  

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association recently endorsed the Empire Racing Association.  The NYTH is a group of horse owners that have openly challenged the NYRA franchise in its time of struggle.

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