Steuben County legislators are opposed to a plan by the state to take over the western region’s Off Track Betting program.
Regional OTB spokesman John Clifford told legislators he is concerned any proposal would pass through state legislation without notice or objection.
The western region, which includes Steuben County, is the only OTB system in the state that made a profit in 2008, Clifford said.
Since 1974, OTB branches in Steuben have generated more than $128 million, with the county taking in nearly $5.6 million in revenues, according to Clifford’s report. The local branches have paid more than $10.7 million in wages and benefits during the past 34 years, and currently employ 14 people, according to the report.
Four years ago, the region closed its OTB parlor in Bath, but does offer horse track betting at the Wooden Nickel on Liberty Street. OTB also maintains offices in Corning and Hornell.
According to the New York Post, the state set up a task force in 2008 to find ways to make the struggling system profitable.
Last year, the statewide betting system lost $75 million, with most of the loss reported by the New York City OTB, The Post reported.
The task force is now considering several solutions, including consolidating all OTBs into one state-wide operation; handing them over to New York Racing Association; setting up a state-wide system with a board of directors from on- and off-track corporations; or privatizing them, The Post reported.
