Gaming Commission, New York State

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Agency Web Site: https://www.gaming.ny.gov/Link to External Website

Mission

The New York State Gaming Commission's mission is to ensure that all lawful gaming and horse racing activity conducted in this State is of the highest integrity, credibility and quality. Operating in the most efficient and transparent manner, the Commission conducts the New York Lottery and serves the best interests of the public by providing responsive and effective State gaming regulation. The Commission strives to ensure that all stakeholders in the gaming and horse racing industries, including the consumers who wager on activities regulated or operated by the Commission, are treated in an equitable and responsible manner. The Commission is also tasked with promoting the health and safety of horses and all participants in racing. By consolidating various regulatory functions into one oversight body with broad powers, the Commission is able to ensure fair and strict regulation of all gaming activity while reducing costs and regulatory burdens to the gaming industry. The Commission provides the regulatory structure necessary for New York gaming activity to operate effectively in a global, evolving and increasingly competitive marketplace, to generate revenue for aid to education and for the support of government, and to contribute to overall economic development and job creation in New York.

Organization and Staffing

The New York State Gaming Commission regulates all aspects of gaming and gambling activity in the State, including horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering, Class III Indian Gaming, commercial casino gaming, the state lottery (including video lottery terminals) and charitable gaming. The New York State Gaming Commission was formally created via Chapter 60 of the Laws of 2012 as part of the 2012-13 Enacted State Budget. This measure merged the New York State Racing and Wagering Board with the New York State Division of Lottery creating a single state agency. The law also consolidated the administration of the New York Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund and the Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund into the Office of Racing Promotion and Development under the umbrella of the Gaming Commission. The New York State Gaming Commission became effective February 1, 2013.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2020 Executive Budget recommends $408.5 million All Funds for the Commission, an increase of $49.0 million (13.6 percent) in All Funds from the amount appropriated in FY 2019. The Executive Budget recommends continuing to appropriate $100,000 in State Operations Funds for the Racing Fan Advisory Council, along with a $49.0 million increase (19.9 percent) in Aid to Localities due to the uncertainty of Tribal State Compact and commercial gaming revenues and timing of payments to localities. The Executive Budget recommends an appropriation of $233.0 million for Tribal State Compact Revenue, which represents the local share of the State's estimated revenues from Native American casinos. In addition, the Executive Budget recommends an appropriation of $62.0 million, which represents the local share of the State's estimated revenues from commercial gaming revenues.

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 430 FTEs for the Commission, an increase of 19 FTEs compared to the FY 2019 budget, as Commission staffing on-site at commercial casinos, as well as an additional Native American casino, is increased to meet statutory oversight requirements.

Program Highlights

Lottery

The New York Lottery's sole mission is to earn revenue for education. Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other State aid to education. Lottery games include drawings like Numbers, Mega Millions and Powerball and some 35-50 scratch-off tickets.

Charitable Gaming

Charitable gaming occurs in the form of bingo, bell jar sales, the conduct of Las Vegas nights, and operation of raffles. The Division of Charitable Gaming is responsible for the investigation, audit, and monitoring of bell jar ticket sales, as well as verification of the lawful disbursement of bingo, bell jar, Las Vegas night, and raffle proceeds by licensees in New York State. This division also issues licenses and assists members of authorized organizations, manufacturers, and equipment distributors to comply with State law and Commission rules and regulations.

Gaming

The Division of Gaming oversees the regulation of five Class III Indian gaming facilities, four commercial gaming facilities, and facilities operating video lottery terminals across the State. Gaming inspectors conduct compliance examinations to ensure that gaming operations such as dealing procedures, internal accounting and other controls strictly conform to the applicable provisions of the respective gaming facility.

Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering

The Division of Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering regulates all horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering in New York State. New York currently features both Thoroughbred and Standardbred horse racing where pari-mutuel wagering takes place. There are four Thoroughbred tracks and seven Standardbred (harness) tracks in the state. Additionally, bettors may wager on races remotely through any of the state’s five off-track betting corporations. The tracks and off-track betting locations also feature simulcasting of races taking place within and beyond New York’s borders.

Interactive Fantasy Sports

The Division of Interactive Fantasy Sports provides general oversight of permissible fantasy sports contests. Responsibilities also include the investigation of violations, processing and issuing registrations, and processing and auditing regulatory assessments.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category Available
FY 2019
Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
Change From
FY 2019
Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
State Operations 113,514,000 113,514,000 0 0
Aid To Localities 246,000,000 295,000,000 49,000,000 0
Total 359,514,000 408,514,000 49,000,000 0

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2019
Estimated FTEs
03/31/19
FY 2020
Estimated FTEs
03/31/20
FTE Change
Administration of the Lottery
Special Revenue Funds - Other 236 234 (2)
Administration
General Fund 55 56 1
Charitable Gaming
Special Revenue Funds - Other 8 8 0
Gaming
Special Revenue Funds - Other 92 112 20
Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering
Special Revenue Funds - Other 20 20 0
Total 411 430 19

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
General Fund 6,431,000 6,431,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 107,083,000 107,083,000 0
Total 113,514,000 113,514,000 0
Adjustments:
Transfer(s) To
General Services, Office of
General Fund 70,000
Appropriated FY 2019 113,584,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Administration
General Fund 6,431,000 6,431,000 0
Administration of the Lottery
Special Revenue Funds - Other 69,426,000 67,831,000 (1,595,000)
Charitable Gaming
Special Revenue Funds - Other 2,173,000 1,770,000 (403,000)
Gaming
Special Revenue Funds - Other 18,678,000 20,272,000 1,594,000
Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering
Special Revenue Funds - Other 15,079,000 16,249,000 1,170,000
Interactive Fantasy Sports
Special Revenue Funds - Other 1,727,000 961,000 (766,000)
Total 113,514,000 113,514,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service Regular
(Annual Salaried)
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 3,213,500 (649,500) 3,200,000 (618,000)
Total 3,213,500 (649,500) 3,200,000 (618,000)
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Temporary Service
(Nonannual Salaried)
Holiday/Overtime Pay
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 10,000 (33,000) 3,500 1,500
Total 10,000 (33,000) 3,500 1,500

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Supplies and Materials
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 3,217,500 649,500 405,000 102,000
Total 3,217,500 649,500 405,000 102,000
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Travel Contractual Services
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 40,000 0 2,422,500 432,500
Total 40,000 0 2,422,500 432,500
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Equipment
Amount Change
Administration 350,000 115,000
Total 350,000 115,000

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration of the Lottery 67,831,000 (1,595,000) 18,228,000 527,000
Charitable Gaming 1,770,000 (403,000) 711,000 (2,000)
Gaming 20,272,000 1,594,000 10,605,000 1,163,000
Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering 16,249,000 1,170,000 7,372,000 558,000
Interactive Fantasy Sports 961,000 (766,000) 185,000 (278,000)
Total 107,083,000 0 37,101,000 1,968,000
STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change
Administration of the Lottery 49,603,000 (2,122,000)
Charitable Gaming 1,059,000 (401,000)
Gaming 9,667,000 431,000
Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering 8,877,000 612,000
Interactive Fantasy Sports 776,000 (488,000)
Total 69,982,000 (1,968,000)

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Special Revenue Funds - Other 246,000,000 295,000,000 49,000,000
Total 246,000,000 295,000,000 49,000,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Gaming
Special Revenue Funds - Other 60,000,000 62,000,000 2,000,000
Tribal State Compact Revenue
Special Revenue Funds - Other 186,000,000 233,000,000 47,000,000
Total 246,000,000 295,000,000 49,000,000

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/15/2019