Connecticut Attorney General Fights Illegal Internet Gambling On New York Horse Races

May 2, 2007 -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Division of Special Revenue (DRS) Executive Director Paul A. Young today sent letters to the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and New York gambling regulators demanding they scuttle an illegal plan to accept Internet horse race wagers from Connecticut residents starting today.

Such wagering violates Connecticut law, which prohibits all Internet gambling, Blumenthal and Young wrote the NYRA and the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, which regulates gambling in New York state.

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The plan provides that NYRA, a private organization, accepts bets on races broadcast by TVG, an Internet network. The New York State Racing and Wagering Board approved the arrangement.

"The New York tracks cannot trample our vital rights to prohibit Internet gambling - luring children and compulsive gamblers," Blumenthal said. "Internet gambling is fraught with insidious pitfalls - particularly for children - which is exactly why Connecticut prohibits it. I am hopeful that New York officials cooperate and respect federal and state law. My office will continue to work closely with the Division of Special Revenue to enforce Connecticut gambling laws."

"We are considering legal action in court, if necessary, to stop this flagrant defiance of our law," Blumenthal said.

"Internet wagering in Connecticut is illegal in any fashion, and all residents of the state should be aware of that fact," Young said. "Connecticut residents can place a legal wager on horse racing, greyhound racing or jai alai games either in person at the various OTB locations around the state or via a telephone betting account.

"Connecticut residents should not be led to believe that any form of Internet wagering is legal in our state, including poker and casino activity. No matter what the Internet site may claim, it is not legal to gamble on the Internet in Connecticut."

The NYRA has become the first racing operator in the New York area to offer Internet wagering, which will be marketed specifically to residents of New York and Connecticut. Bettors must establish an account with the NYRA rewards program, which can take bets for races at 22 separate tracks that have committed to be part of the network.

An out-of-state entity taking Internet wagers from Connecticut also violates the federal Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, which says, "the states should have the primary responsibility for determining what forms of gambling may legally take place within their borders."

Internet gambling in Connecticut - which would illegally expand gambling in this state - is punishable as a criminal offense.

Source: Connecticut Attorney General