Equine Health and Safety

New York’s equine drug rules and protective measures are among the strictest and most comprehensive in the nation. The New York State Gaming Commission continues to set the standard for promoting equine health and safety, and holding those who attempt to cheat accountable for their actions.

The Commission, in consultation with the state’s Equine Drug Testing Program, continues to evaluate rules regarding equine drugs to ensure that horses, jockeys and drivers are protected and that the sport is run with the utmost integrity.

What’s Happening at New York Race Tracks:

• Equine Injury Database – A detailed, searchable list of every horse that has broken down, died, sustained a serious injury or been involved in an incident at a track in New York State since 2009

• Rulings Database – A searchable list of every fine and suspension issued by the Board to licensees for nearly three decades

Equine Drug Testing Program: New York’s Equine Drug Testing Program (EDTP) is one of the leading equine drug-testing programs in the world. The program for all thoroughbred and harness races is performed by Morrisville State College in Morrisville, New York, under contract with the New York State Gaming Commission. Learn more

What is allowed? Currently, the only allowable medication on race day in New York is furosemide and it is only permitted to be administered to horses properly enrolled in a furosemide medication program as prescribed. A listing of the most commonly used medicines in the equine racing world is contained within the Commission’s rules. Also contained are the number of hours "out" (before race day) that these listed drugs may be administered. Learn More

Task Force on Racehorse Health & Safety – An unprecedented series of reforms to promote equine safety at New York racetracks, placing the health, safety and welfare of the equine athlete as the top priority of horseracing. Read the comprehensive report and executive summary.

Promoting Responsible Care of Racehorses – The New York State Task Force on Retired Racehorses released its final findings and recommendations in December 2011, including a proposed funding component to provide care for retired horses. Learn more

Office of Racing Promotion and Development

The Office of Racing Promotion and Development is comprised of the Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund and the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund.

Racing Forms and Applications

• Instructions for Thoroughbred Racing Applicants

• Instructions for Harness Racing Applicants

• Request for NYS Fingerprinting Services - Information Form (Live Scan)

• Request for NYS Fingerprinting Services - Information Form (Card Scan)

• Proof of Identification Form and Chart
(contains list of acceptable forms of identification)

• NYS Racing License Application

• Investigator's Supplement IS-1

• Parental Consent Form

• NYS Public Employees Information Form PE-1

• Certification of Compliance CS-1

• Application for Hearing Concerning Reciprocity of License Action

• Worker's Compensation Form CE-200

NOTICE(S):

The Marriage Equality Act

The Marriage Equality Act (Act) took effect on July 24, 2011, and provides that all marriages, whether between same-sex couples or different-sex couples, will be treated equally under the laws of New York. The act amends New York Law to recognize all legally performed marriages between same-sex and different-sex couples, whether or not the marriage took place in New York.

The act applies to all services administered by the Racing & Wagering Board. As a result, any references to:

• spouse or married individual includes a person in a marriage with a same-sex spouse;
• husband, wife, and spouse should be read as gender neutral to reflect both different-sex and same-sex couples, and;
• marriage also includes a marriage between same-sex spouses.

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board's Bureau of Licensing, in collaboration with the Division of Criminal Justice Services, implemented electronic fingerprinting on January 1, 2010.

Pursuant to the State contract between DCJS and L-1, the vendor fee can be altered twice annually dependant upon the amounts submitted under the State contract. The range of adjustment permissible is up to $11.75 or down to no lower than $9.95 per card.

All license applicants MUST submit proof of identification documents when submitting fingerprints. After January 2010, applicants choosing L-1 Enrollment Services for electronic submission (live scan) are required to provide proof of identification to the L-1 operator prior to printing (acceptable forms are listed on the Request for NYS Fingerprinting Services - Information Form). All other applicants choosing ink rolled card submission (card scan) are required to submit the Board's Proof of Identification Form and Chart containing the list of acceptable forms of identification.

Looking for the National Racing Compact License Application?
Click here  National Racing License

Date of Birth Licensing

Facts…

All licenses issued on or after January 1, 2001 will expire on the licensee’s birthday.

Date of Birth Licensing is easier. Why?

• Eliminates long lines at the track in December and January when everyone is renewing and applying at the same time.

• Reduces delay experienced by applicants.

• Easier to remember when to renew since it expires on your birthday like your driver’s license.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will the annual fees change?

No. The annual fees will not be changed as a result of this new system. However, if your birthday is less than six months from your date of application or renewal, then you have the option of paying an additional fee to extend the duration of the license.

2. Will the Board still send out renewals automatically?

Yes. A renewal application will still be sent to all licensees. For those who receive a license which expires on your birthday, you will receive the renewal in advance of your birthday. If your license expires on the calendar year of 2000, 2001, or 2002 then you will receive the renewal in advance of this date.

3. Can I still apply for a multi-year license?

Yes. You may still apply for a one, two or three year license. The difference is that the year will start and end on your birthday rather than on the calendar year basis.

4. Do I have to complete an application every year on my birthday?

Only if you choose to get a license that is good for one year. If you choose a multi-year license then no.

Rules & Regulations

Pending rule-making of Horse Racing Division

Glossary:emgcy means Emergency Rule. R-M means rule-making.

Notes: Rule 4038.2 (claiming price ≥ 50% of the purse) was permanently adopted on 12/19/12.

Proposed rules must be adopted within 180 days unless the agency extends this by 185 days by filing a Notice of Continuation that appears in the state register prior to such expiration date. SAPA 202(3).

CHAPTER I. RACING

SUBCHAPTER A. STATE RACING COMMISSION

SUBCHAPTER B. STATE HARNESS RACING COMMISSION

SUBCHAPTER C. STATE QUARTER HORSE RACING COMMISSION

SUBCHAPTER D. PROMOTION OF EQUINE RESEARCH

Racing Fan Advisory Council

• Racing Fan Advisory Council 2012 Report & Recommendations

NYS RACING FAN ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Racing Fan Advisory Council wants to hear your thoughts and ideas! To contact the Council, email racingfan@gaming.ny.gov.

In September 2011, former Racing & Wagering Board Chairman John D. Sabini announced members of the Racing Fan Advisory Council, which will provide input and advice to the Board on horse racing and wagering matters in New York state. The council consists of individuals steeped in both thoroughbred and harness racing, as well as off-track betting enterprises. The council will examine the “total racing experience” and report its findings to the Board.

The council is composed of long-term horse racing fans, selected on their involvement, interest, knowledge and devotion to the sport.

The members include:

• Chair: Patrick M. Connors, Professor of Law, Albany Law School: Professor Connors has been an avid fan of horse racing since 1989 and has made several presentations at Albany Law’s annual Saratoga Institute on Racing and Gaming Law. He has been a law professor for 20 years at both Syracuse University College of Law and Albany Law School. A prolifically published scholar, he has been an active member of several New York State Bar Association Committees and has given dozens of legal presentations across the state. Professor Connors resides in Saratoga Springs, graduated from Georgetown University and obtained his law degree at St. John’s University School of Law.

• Michael F. Amo, Chair and Co-Founder, Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc. (ThoroFan): Mr. Amo has been a Thoroughbred horseracing enthusiast for over 30 years. He was first introduced to the sport by a friend who took him to the 1978 Belmont Stakes and soon began traveling the country attending racing meets as his regular vacation away from a career as a hospital administrator. Mr. Amo has served on the Board of several not-for-profit organizations and is co-owner of a health care consulting business, as well as a published author. A Central Valley resident, Mr. Amo also serves as an Orange County legislator.

• Allan Carter, Historian, The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame: Since 2003, Mr. Carter has worked at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. For more than 20 years prior, Mr. Carter was a legal librarian at the New York State Library. Mr. Carter served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1967 and worked as a technical writer at Knolls Atomic Power Plant. A Glens Falls native, Mr. Carter resides in Saratoga Springs and received a Master’s Degree in Library Science from SUNY Albany.

• M. Kelly Young, Associate Director of National Affairs, New York Farm Bureau: Ms. Young has been an active participant in the world of harness racing since 1995, when she worked as an office assistant at the Goshen Historic Track during the summer. Ms. Young is a member of the Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors and a former Executive Director of the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State. She has written several award-winning articles on standardbred racing. An Albany resident, Ms. Young has a B.A. in Biology from Boston University.

A fifth member will be named at a later date.

The racing fan advisory council’s mission is to grow of the fan base related to the sport of horse racing by:

• Recommending procedures to ensure that the opinion of the fan is a central part of the regulation of horse racing and advising the Board on issues related to horse racing and wagering

• Advising the Board on appropriate actions to encourage fan attendance and wagering at the state's thoroughbred and harness racetracks and the state's off-track betting corporations

• Visiting Board-controlled racetracks and facilities during race times, workouts, and during hours when members of the media are permitted to be present at the facilities

• Advising the Board on the creation and development of an “I LOVE NY Racing” promotion

• Giving an annual, non-monetary award to both a thoroughbred and standardbred breeding farm in New York State that has worked to promote horse racing in New York

• Recommending changes to the rules of the Board and to the laws affecting horse racing

• Preparing an annual report to the Board regarding the operation of the state's thoroughbred and harness racetracks and the state's off-track betting corporations

No members are current Racing and Wagering Board employees, lobbyists, officers of any racetrack, OTB or any non-profit that represents breeders or horsemen. Three members are appointed by the Racing and Wagering Board Chairman and two are appointed by the chairs of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering and the Assembly Committee on Racing and Wagering. Each member serves a five-year unpaid term.

Locations

View New York State Gaming Commission Racing Offices in a larger map