Horsemen at a New York racino have refused to sign a new contract for the operation of simulcast betting.
The Finger Lakes Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association has rejected efforts by Delaware North, owner of Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack, to get an agreement on a new deal. The group wants a guarantee of larger racing purses to fend off anticipated competition from the new $440 million del Lago Resort & Casino opening nearby on February 1.
Racing in other areas of the state has been protected by a law requiring new casinos to guarantee purses.
“I’m not going to sign a contract that’s going to guarantee that this place is going to close within a year,” said David Brown, president of the association. “We got to a point where we had to do something dramatic enough to get people to start thinking?like now.”
Without a new contract there will be no simulcast wagering at the 54-year-old track. The move would not impact gaming operations at the track, according to Finger Lakes.
