NYC Off-Track Betting Restructuring

Published on September 01, 2009, 6:39 pm
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Governor David A. Paterson today signed Executive Order No. 27, authorizing the New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation (NYCOTB) to file a petition for reorganization under Chapter 9 of the federal bankruptcy code. The Governor issued the order after it was determined that NYCOTB requires major restructuring to regain solvency.

Governor Paterson has directed the NYCOTB Board of Directors, led by Chairman Meyer “Sandy” Frucher, to provide the Governor’s Office with a restructuring plan within two months, which likely will include a Chapter 9 filing for NYCOTB.

“This Executive Order will provide necessary flexibility to help restore NYCOTB to financial viability without any investment of State resources,” said Governor Paterson. “When we assumed responsibility for the struggling NYCOTB from New York City, we acted decisively to protect approximately 40,000 jobs statewide, which are maintained by the horseracing and breeding industries and depend on OTB revenue. After a year of study and intense effort at reorganization, we have determined that Chairman Frucher and the NYCOTB board need the tool of a Chapter 9 restructuring to keep NYCOTB in operation.”

NYCOTB is currently running a structural deficit of nearly $600,000 per month. This is compounded by unfunded liabilities in excess of $500 million, a significant portion of which is employee retirement, health and related benefits. Declining wagering revenues, an outdated business model and an unfavorable statutory funding formula are contributing factors to NYCOTB’s insolvency.

Chairman Frucher, who Governor Paterson appointed last June, said: “NYCOTB will likely be unable to fund operations beyond March 31, 2010. We are considering a range of options aimed at restoring fiscal equilibrium to NYCOTB. Our goal is make NYCOTB a modern wagering operation that can operate lean and maximize revenue for State and local governments as well as the horseracing and breeding industries. In this process, we are committed to treating the NYCOTB workforce in a fair and equitable manner. And to the fullest extent possible, the NYCOTB Board intends to achieve consensus among all of the Corporation’s racing industry stakeholders, its employee representative organizations and other creditors during this reorganization process.”

Chairman Frucher’s findings are supported by an audit produced by the New York State Comptroller’s Office, which recognized NYCOTB as a critical component of the horseracing industry that it called “too important to fail.” The Comptroller’s report added that “inaction will mean insolvency.”

At Governor Paterson’s direction, the NYCOTB Board’s restructuring plan will focus on reducing NYCOTB’s expenses, and will include recommendations to modernize the operational model to meet the demands of a changing wagering demographic.

Pari-mutuel betting on horseracing is authorized by the New York State Constitution in order to derive reasonable revenue for the support of government. In 1970, the Legislature authorized the off-track betting system in New York, which included the establishment of NYCOTB as a public benefit corporation. Since its establishment, NYCOTB has generated in excess of $4.5 billion for the support of State and local governments and the horse racing industry. NYCOTB handles almost half of the total amount of money wagered on horse racing annually in New York State.

New York Racing Association President and CEO Charles Hayward said: “NYRA applauds the bold initiatives that Governor Paterson and Chairman Frucher are undertaking to reorganize NYCOTB, which plays a critical role in the horse racing industry and the economy of New York State. We pledge to work with them in advancing the interests of racing industry stakeholders and the citizens of New York.”

President of IBT Local 858 Barbara Reda said: “Today is a new day for NYCOTB, and we commend Governor Paterson for his leadership in helping restore NYCOTB to sound fiscal ground. We are hopeful that this plan will allow NYCOTB to prosper again, to the benefit of the State, our members and, of course, the racing industry. We hope the legislators will cooperate with this effort and will include the regional OTBs in regard to important issues they face.”

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts said: “DC 37 is committed to working with Governor David Paterson and the State Legislature to preserve the operations of the economic engine of the State – the NYCOTB – and to protect the jobs and benefits of the dedicated, hard-working employees of OTB. This includes all provisions provided under the current contract.”

A copy of Executive Order No. 27 is available here.

 

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