Batavia Downs

Press release:

Batavia Downs officials have announced the names of the five students selected by their high schools to participate in the 2012 college scholarship race.

They are: Lindsay Hilburger -- Notre Dame of Batavia; Sonia Nevinger -- Alexander; Jessica Levins -- Batavia; Jamie Marshall -- Elba; and Leanne King -- Pembroke.

The race will be held on Sept. 15, between the fifth and sixth live harness races at Batavia Downs. Approximate post time for the scholarship race is 7:45 p.m.

A total of $7,500 in college scholarship funds will be given to each high school student in the dash for cash. The race will be conducted at one mile -- two laps around Batavia Downs' historic half-mile oval.

“We're thrilled to provide additional scholarship funds to area high school students,” said Todd Haight, general manager of Batavia Downs. “This coincides with the contributions made daily by Batavia Downs Casino to the New York state lottery for education.”

All students are required to practice at least five times during the month of August with the driver/trainer they will be teamed up with. This exposes the student to the full equine experience associated with the racing industry.

Scholarship breakdowns are as follows: $3,000 to the winner; $2,000 for second; $1,200 for third; $800 for fourth; and $500 for fifth. Scholarships are not equine specific and can be used for any higher education.

The event is a partnership of Batavia Downs Casino, Buffalo Raceway, Harness Horse Breeders of New York and the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association.

The 66th season at America’s oldest lighted harness track gets under way on July 23 with a new post time of 6:25 p.m.

Officials with Western Regional OTB, Batavia Downs and invited guests were in Rochester today for a ribbon cutting and unveiling of the work done so far on the new marquee signs for Batavia Downs.

The work is being completed by Premier Sign Systems.

Ryan Hasenauer, director of marketing for Batavia Downs, provided the pictures.

Press release:

Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, owner of Batavia Downs Casino, has today announced a strategic partnership of services with Saratoga Casino and Raceway and ebet Technologies, LLC. Subject to approval of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, these two prominent New York State racing entities will be partnering in the launch of the new advance deposit internet wagering platform, www.BataviaBets.com.

“We felt very strongly that we should partner with a proven organization within New York State such as Saratoga,” said Michael Kane, CEO of Western OTB/ Batavia Downs. “This will work towards the betterment of wagering for our customers and be a great example on how we can work together within New York State to strengthen the horse-racing industry.”

Kane also added that support was acquired for SaratogaBets because of the platform’s proven success.

Western OTB’s unprecedented alliance with Saratoga Casino and Raceway is part of an effort amongst New York State racing entities to work together to create cost-effective revenue opportunities in today’s highly competitive pari-mutuel environment.

“We have experienced great success with www.SaratogaBets.com, our advance deposit wagering platform,” said Jamie Hartman, COO and executive vice president of Saratoga Casino and Raceway. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with eBet and Batavia Downs to institute this exciting wagering option in Western New York and to further promote increased support and interest in New York racing.”

BataviaBets is a free service allowing customers who sign up for an account to wager on pari-mutuel events via the internet in addition to wagering via the telephone. Focused on servicing local residents and guests who support Batavia Downs and the Western Regional OTB network, this convenient option gives access to customers who would like to place a wager, watch the races, or check results.

“We are excited to work with an organization like Batavia Downs to extend their brand while maintaining access and control of their customer base,” said Mark Gregory, chairman of eBet. "We’re focused on delivering new channels and incremental revenues for regional racetracks like Batavia.”

Press release:

Batavia Downs Casino is marking its seventh anniversary with a weekend celebration that includes a Preakness party and prize drawings.

Batavia Downs Casino opened at 10 a.m. on May 18, 2005 with just 586 machines. Now open 20 hours a day with 640 machines on site, the facility’s growth has meant more jobs and more money given back to the counties and cities that the public benefit corporation serves. With a 27 million dollar expansion also set to start, the facility’s staff is looking forward to the future.

“We are pleased with not only where we are but also with what’s on the horizon,“ said Michael Nolan, chief operating officer of Batavia Downs Casino and Western Regional Off-Track Betting.

"As a partner in this community we’ve created jobs for this region and will look to create even more with this expansion. Our monetary distributions to the counties and cities that we serve will also increase.”

Further details can be found at bataviadownscasino.com

Press release:

Officials at Western Regional Off-Track (WROTB), owner of Batavia Downs Casino, announced today record handle on the 2012 Kentucky Derby and at the casino.

Through its 32 branches and 18 EZ-Bet locations, WROTB handled $1,913,108 on the Run for the Roses, a 16-percent increase over 2011, which was a record year. In addition, WROTB paid out $1.6 million in winning wagers, its most ever.

“We are very pleased with the results of the derby,” said William White, vice president of administration said. “We look forward to serving our customers' needs for the Preakness.”

“We are thrilled with the turnout for the derby,” said Todd Haight, OTB’s handicapper and the GM of Batavia Downs Racetrack. “It seems that the people of Western New York did their handicapping homework, too, as we paid out more winners than ever before.

"At the downs, people enjoyed meeting and greeting our Ambassador Thurman Thomas inside Grandstands Bar and Grille.”

Batavia Downs Casino recorded its biggest week ever with record revenues. New York State Lottery and the state education fund benefited by receiving over $520,000 when more than $12 Million in credits played were wagered through 640 slot machines.

Western OTB expects the excitement to continue with the Preakness Stakes on May 19 when "I’ll Have Another" tries to etch his name in the record books in the second jewel of the Triple Crown. All OTB branches will open at 10 a.m. on Preakness Day.

Batavia Downs in owned and operated by Western Regional Off-Track Betting, a public benefit corporation. Municipalities that own Batavia Downs Casino include: the cities of Buffalo, Batavia and Rochester, and these counties: Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Wyoming.

The track is also home to Batavia Downs Casino, featuring more than 600 video slot machines. Batavia Downs Casino is located less than one mile from Thruway Exit 48 and is open daily from 8 to 4 a.m.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Casino is pleased to announce that its 27 million dollar expansion has been approved by the New York State Lottery. The expansion, which is slated to begin immediately, will consist of repairs to the roof, replacement of the facility’s neon sign with an energy-efficient LED one, and most notably, the facility’s second-story gaming floor will be brought down to ground level.

The project is expected to be one of the largest construction projects in Western New York this year.

“We are pleased to begin this long-anticipated project," said Mike Kane, president of Western Regional Off-Track Betting and Batavia Downs Casino. “The construction will create jobs both during the building of our new facility and inside the casino once the expansion is completed."

Since 2005, Batavia Downs Casino has contributed more than 107 million dollars to New York State Education through the lottery and more 71 million has been distributed to the 15 counties of Western New York and the two cities of Buffalo and Rochester.

"The expansion will add about 200 machines to the gaming floor, and we expect an increase in the yearly payments given back to the citizens of New York State," Kane said.

New restaurants will also be added to the facility.

“The Thurman Thomas Sports Bar will give local sports fans a new, unique place to cheer on their favorite teams while enjoying food, drink and local musical entertainment” said Director of Marketing Ryan Hasenauer.

The Tim Horton’s currently on the second floor would be expanded once it occupies its new space on the first floor. Batavia Downs Casino’s Ambassador will have his own space on-site as well.

Batavia PD is looking for the public's assistance in identifying the subject of this photo. It's related to an unspecified incident at Batavia Downs.

Anybody with information to share can contact Officer Marc Lawrence, mlawrence@batavianewyork.com.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Casino generated more than $16.99 million for education during the 2011 fiscal year (April 2011 to March 2012), according to the recently released data by the Division of Lottery. As part of Batavia Downs Casino’s ongoing support of New York education, 51 percent of Batavia Downs Casino's net win is given to the lottery to fund education.

“We’re proud to have contributed so much to New York State’s educational efforts,“ said Mike Kane, president of Batavia Downs Casino.

In 2011-2012, revenue generated by Batavia Downs Casino for education was equivalent to the annual salaries of approximately 245 teachers. With education budgets consistently tightening, this revenue will allow for students throughout New York State to continue to earn a high-quality public education. Since opening in 2005, Batavia Downs Casino has generated more than $115 million in education funding for New York.

More information on Batavia Downs Casino is available at www.bataviadownscasino.com and the full lottery report is available at www.nylottery.ny.gov.

Batavia Downs Casino is owned and operated by Western Regional Off-Track Betting, a public benefit corporation. Batavia Downs Casino is a member of the New York Gaming Association. The New York Gaming Association advocates for, and advances the interests of, the state’s nine racetrack casinos, located at harness and thoroughbred racing venues in all four corners of New York.

The association works in partnership with state government on long-term strategies to financially bolster education, create jobs, support agriculture, horseracing and breeding; and maximize economic revenues to the state that will benefit all New Yorkers.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Casino will continue to enhance education, both of the sport of harness racing as well as classroom academics, by continuing its scholarship program for its third consecutive year.

The $7,500 one mile Dash for the Cash will be held on Saturday night, Sept. 15.

Five area high school seniors from the graduating class of 2013 will participate. The schools can use any criteria they wish to pick their students. This year’s participating high schools are Batavia, Notre Dame of Batavia, Elba, Pembroke and Alexander.

Kaley Falkowski of Batavia High School with professional Jim Mulcahy alongside won the inaugural event. Last year Elizabeth Shuknecht representing Elba High School with professional Jim Graham took top honors.

Beginning in August, the five participating students will attend at least five training sessions at the track with their professional to learn the safety and skills needed to drive a racehorse. Then between the fourth and fifth live harness races on Sept. 15, they will line up behind the starting gate and compete for scholarships checks of $3,000, $2,000, $1,200, $800 and $500.

“The enthusiasm in the crowd leading up to the race is amazing and it brings an entirely different demographic to the racetrack,” said Todd Haight, general manager of live racing. “These kids train very hard and definitely come away with a better understanding of our sport.”

Again the scholarship event is co-sponsored by the horsemen, breeders and owners of Western New York through the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State, the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association, Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs Casino.

Batavia Downs Casino, America's oldest lighted harness track, opens for its 66th racing season on Monday, July 23, for 72 racing dates with a new post time of 6:25 p.m. Racing will be conducted on a Sunday afternoon, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night basis in August. For more information, visit www.bataviadowns.com.

If your thing is trains, Batavia Downs was the place to be Sunday.

I think every picture I've seen of the Batavia Downs sign so far has been from the more straight-on position north of the track. Recently, I've been experimenting with angles more to the south.

It looks like Batavia Downs is a long shot to expand into a full-blown Vegas-style casino with table games and expanding gambling options.

The NYS Legislature took a big step yesterday toward opening up so-called racinos to more casino games, but capped the number of race tracks that can expand at seven.

Western Regional OTB board member Dick Siebert told WBTA that he's very concerned that Batavia Downs is being excluded from the expansion.

“Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs are the closest raceways to the Senecas' casinos (in Niagara Falls and Allegany), and they’re the ones putting the heat on the state,” Siebert points out. “So I’ve got a strange but very sound feeling that we’re the two being targeted.”

The seven target locations have not been disclosed.

The Senecas believe they have an exclusive lock on gambling in New York and the legislature may have caved to pressure from the Senecas by excluding Buffalo and Batavia from the expansion.

“They’re behind it,” Siebert said. “They’ve got money, and they’re throwing it around. They don’t want the competition. But not having Batavia Downs be a full casino hurts Western New York a lot more than what might happen to the Senecas.

“I’ll probably get myself in trouble to say it – but it’s the truth,” Siebert added.

Michael Kane, CEO of the Western Regional OTB remains hopeful, however.

“I don’t think it takes Batavia Downs out of the mix at all,” Kane says. “I think the number was just negotiated between the governor and the two houses.”

Press release:

Batavia Downs Casino Raceway added over $18 million to the Genesee County economy and generated over $24.5 million annually in revenues for the region and the state, according to a new economic impact analysis conducted by an independent firm.

This analysis also estimates that nearly 460 local, full- and part-time jobs are supported by Batavia Downs Casino. The New York Gaming Association (NYGA) released part one of the two-part report today to outline the positive economic impact gaming has had on the local economy.

A second report, which will be released next week, will show projections for future regional job growth and revenues that will be generated if enhanced gaming is authorized in New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo and the State Legislature will consider passing a constitutional amendment to authorize enhanced gaming.

“As a facility we are excited at the possibility of having enhanced gaming at Batavia Downs Casino,” said Mike Kane, president of Western Regional Off-Track Betting, which owns Batavia Downs Casino. “Not only does it mean more jobs for our area, but it means more monies can be generated for the New York State Lottery and for the 15 counties and two cities that our public benefit corporation serves.”

According to estimates from the analysis, in 2011 Batavia Downs Casino provided 457 local full- and part-time jobs, with 313 of those jobs representing direct employment by the casino. Batavia Downs supported 90 jobs for racing and breeding. Wages and salaries for employees totaled more than $5 million.

Additional findings from the report show that in 2011, Batavia Downs Casino:

• Accounted for over $18 million in economic output for the region;
• Reinvested nearly $3 million into the local economy with the purchase of goods and services (including construction) from businesses in Genesee County;
• Accounted directly and indirectly for over $3 million in revenues for Genesee County municipalities, and;
• Generated nearly $20.5 million in state revenues, of which $16 million went toward education in New York State, which is the equivalent of paying the salaries of more than 231 elementary and secondary schoolteachers throughout New York State.

Since 2005, Batavia Downs Casino provided $3.65 million in aid to municipalities and contributed $94.5 million to New York State education and has never missed a payment.

The nine racetrack casinos comprising the New York Gaming Association include:

• Batavia Downs Casino
• Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway
• Empire Resorts at Monticello Casino & Raceway
• Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack
• Hamburg Casino at the Fairgrounds
• Resorts World Casino New York at Aqueduct Racetrack
• Saratoga Casino & Raceway
• Tioga Downs Casino
• Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel

The New York Gaming Association members have contributed $1.96 billion to the state in 2011. Over $830.5 million has gone to fund education in New York State which is the equivalent of paying the salaries of more than 11,900 elementary and secondary schoolteachers throughout New York State. The nine Racetrack Casinos employ nearly 5,500 New Yorkers directly and have created a total of 17,400 jobs both directly and indirectly across the state.

The economic impact analysis study was conducted by Appleseed, Inc., a New York City firm that specializes in providing economic and social research analysis.

Download: Appleseed report (PDF)

Leaders of Western Regional Off-track Betting Corp. are lining up support to turn Batavia Downs into a full-service casino and they took their case to the Genesee County Legislature on Wednesday.

In a meeting with the Ways and Means Committee, three representatives of Batavia Downs told the committee that getting Genesee County's support for the plan is crucial to lining up support from the other 15 counties that co-own Western Regional OTB.

"You're the key," said Mike Nolan, VP of administration for Western Regional OTB and Batavia Downs. "You're the host county and the place where we live. You gain the most to benefit from what happens at Batavia Downs. We're hoping you can be the leader so we can go to the other municipalities and say we have your support."

The committee unanimously approved a resolution supporting Batavia Downs becoming one of the nine racing facilities in New York to offer table games along with slot machines.

Legislator Mary Pat Hancock said she isn't fully supportive of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's push to legalize casino gambling across the board in New York, but she could support this resolution because it limits gaming to just the existing racing and video-terminal facilities (often called "racinos").

The earliest Batavia Downs could offer table games -- such as blackjack and poker -- would be January 2014.

For that to happen, the current State Legislature and the next one seated must approve a constitutional amendment to legalize casinos, and then the amendment would be voted on in a statewide referendum.

During the process, state lawmakers would need to also pass enabling legislation that would government how the casinos are run.

If all of that could happen by November 2013, then Batavia Downs could start offering new games and begin construction expanding the existing facilities -- creating 1,000 construction jobs and leading to more than 400 new full-time jobs at the casino.

Nolan (top photo), who met with the committee along with Mike Kane, president and CEO, and OTB Board Member Richard Siebert, said there is still opposition from Senecas, but that is an issue for the governor's office to deal with. In the meantime, Batavia Downs needs to line up its own support and make its own plans in the hope that casino gambling is approved in New York.

Press release:

We are pleased and applaud the governor’s support for a constitutional amendment concerning casino gaming during his State of the State address. This will have a significant positive economic affect on Western New York, specifically the 15 counties and two cities, which include Buffalo and Rochester that own Batavia Downs Casino.

With New York facing ongoing fiscal challenges as the economy continues to sputter, now is the time to permit enhanced gaming at the state’s racetrack casinos so that we can reclaim the billions of dollars in revenue – along with spending on travel, lodging, meals and other related economic activity — that flow out of our state every year.

Many thousands of New Yorkers already visit the state’s racetrack casinos, including Batavia Downs Casino. The tracks, which are licensed by the state, have over the past decade created thousands of jobs and provided billions of dollars to the state and local governments for education, agriculture and horse breeding.

Since 2005, Batavia Downs Casino and Western Regional Off-Track Betting have given more than $107 million to New York State Education through the lottery. More than $71 million has been distributed to Western Regional's member counties and cities, helping lower property taxes and contribute to community improvements.

Batavia Downs Casino and Racetrack employs more than 250 people year round. That number increases to more than 300 when racing is in session from July through December.

But the racetrack casinos lack a vital element to keep gaming enthusiasts in our state: live table games. As a result, many are choosing to travel to venues in other jurisdictions, where they leave behind an estimated $3-5 billion and spend hundreds of millions more on hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shopping and travel expenses.

The racetrack casinos have united to form the New York Gaming Association, which will work in partnership with the governor and the legislature on the multi-year process to approve the state constitutional amendment to permit live table games at our facilities.

By enhancing our existing venues with table games, we will attract clientele that now goes out of state and consequently create thousands of additional jobs and generate more revenues to provide even greater support for education, agriculture and horseracing and breeding.

Enhancing existing racetrack casinos to include table games is a good deal for New York, and not simply because of the increased revenues. Association members have already proven to be outstanding and dependable partners with the state, operating with oversight by both the State Division of Lottery and the Racing and Wagering Board. In fact, some have suggested that ours is one of the most successful public-private partnerships in the state, if not the entire country.

There is another reason why enhancing the racetrack casinos makes so much sense for New York: We are not asking for any taxpayer dollars at all. On the contrary, association members, including Batavia Downs Casino are prepared to invest hundreds of millions to upgrade our venues.

Batavia Downs Casino already had an expansion plan in place that will look to break ground this year. By the time the amendment is passed, the facility will be ready to start on an $85-95 million project beginning in 2014. This will include a convention center and expanded gaming, including table games. That means more visitors to our area, helping retail, hotels and restaurant owners along the way. It also means increased revenue to the state, and most importantly, new jobs. The impact of all these would be seen rapidly.

At a time when budgets are tight and taxpayers are rightfully skeptical about untested ideas that promise economic benefits, allowing the enhancement of existing, successful racetrack casinos to include table games is a good bet for all New Yorkers.

Batavia Downs in owned and operated by Western Regional Off-Track Betting, a public benefit corporation. Municipalities that own Batavia Downs Casino include: City of Buffalo, Cattaraugus County, Cayuga County, Chautauqua County, Erie County, Genesee County, Livingston County, Monroe County, Niagara County, Orleans County, Oswego County, City of Rochester, Schuyler County, Seneca County, Steuben County, Wayne County, and Wyoming County.

The track is also home to Batavia Downs Casino, featuring more than 600 video slot machines. Batavia Downs Casino is located less than one mile from Thruway Exit 48 and is open daily from 9 to 4 a.m.