Sabini to head state racing board

BY VICTOR G. MIMONI

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 7:08 PM EDT

Almost lost in the nail-biting finale to the New York City OTB saga was Governor David Paterson’s announcement that he had tapped State Senator John Sabini to serve as Chair of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.

The nomination came as post-script at the press conference on Friday, June 13 that the state and city had a deal on OTB - which Mayor Bloomberg dismissed just a few hours later.

The position, which has a six-year term and pays $120,800 per year, requires confirmation by the Senate. “Upon confirmation, State Senator Sabini will step down from his Senate seat,” Paterson said.

“There is no one more knowledgeable about these issues and I am confident that he will help establish a viable and profitable long term structure for off-track betting in New York,” he added.

In an interview with The Courier, Sabini said it was a “great honor to be picked,” and that he expected his confirmation hearing “in September.”

“I hope to fulfill the Governor’s vision - seeking to make racing and Native American wagering more of a profit-center for the people of New York,” Sabini said, pointing out that Paterson, as Senate minority leader, named him as the ranking Democrat on the Racing and Wagering Committee six years ago.

Sabini is looking ahead to correcting what he sees as structural flaws in the system. “The tracks are under the racing and wagering commission, but the VLT’s that will be at the tracks are under the State Lottery Commission.”

Sabini said that he has been in consultation with Paterson, and “the Governor hasn’t ruled anything in or ruled anything out.”

However, he admitted that to bring all betting and gaming under one authority would require an amendment to the New York State constitution.

“We haven’t discussed that at all,” Sabini said.

PHOTO COURTESY SENATOR JOHN SABINI
State Senator John Sabini (center, at podium) at a press conference on Friday, June 13. Governor David Paterson (second right) Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (second left) and numerous officials had gathered to announce a deal on the state takeover of OTB.