Diving into new gambling committee chair assignment

Carrie Woerner was first elected to the Assembly in 2014 after working as an executive with a business software company division in Saratoga. She was named chair of the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee in January after serving on the committee for several years. Her district includes the Saratoga Casino Hotel and Saratoga Race Course, the temporary home of the third leg of the Triple Crown, and she remains focused on ways to benefit the region’s horse racing economy. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

You recently took on a new role leading the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee. What are your goals and expectations for this new position?

I’m just thrilled to have the opportunity to chair this committee. I’ve been a member of it since I began my tenure 10 years ago.

The things I am very focused on, I come from Saratoga Springs where thoroughbred racing is a big part of our economy, so really making sure that the production of racing supports the equine agriculture industry and the breeding programs. And making sure that our equine athletes after they retire from the racetrack have a second career or a calm retirement they deserve, and making sure we have the funds to make that happen.

I’m cognizant of the fact that we’re on the cusp of downstate casino licenses and making sure that those licenses and businesses associated with them launch successfully and make sure the interests of the consumers of those participating in gaming are protected. We want to put guardrails in place to make sure problem gaming doesn’t expand and the people who are struggling with addiction the resources that they need.

The Saratoga Casino Hotel and the Saratoga Race Course are both in your district. How important are they to your district, economically and otherwise? Any legislative changes these entities are looking for this session?

The Saratoga Casino Hotel and harness track associated with it are really important parts of our overall economy. They’re an attractor to the region and that means there is economic activity that comes with them. The racing industry as a whole – the thoroughbred and harness racetrack – generate a lot of economic activity. Beyond that, the farms that grow the hay and provide the straw, the ferriers that shoe the horses, there’s an ecosystem around racing that is a big part of our agricultural economy in the Capital Region. The casino itself is a draw too. So we’re delighted that the casino hotel is here and we recognize that the (video lottery terminal) casinos are a big part of the communities they operate in.

The upstate casinos authorized in the previous licensing cycle have failed to live up to economic projections. Why? 

I don’t yet know the specifics of each of the casinos and I hope over the coming years I get to know each of their unique businesses. I’m always skeptical of rosy projections made at the outset and the achievement of those projections. There’s a lot of variables that go into it, the attractions of the facility, the degree to which it is a destination for an overnight or extended stay. It is a function of how well they’re marketing it, what else is in the region that might be a draw, so there’s a lot of variables and as well the online options for gaming is very attractive to a younger generation. There is a certain amount of competition or cannibalism because the technology has evolved and the world has changed a bit when the original upstate licenses were contemplated and issued.

Your new committee chair assignment comes at a key time in the industry, with New York now set to award up to three downstate casino licenses. Will you have any role in the process, or is the legislative role basically done already?

I believe the legislators are basically done assuming that the legislation put in place several years ago does not need modifications. Nobody as of yet has told me that there’s a need for changes to the legislation. So I assume the process is going to continue apace and sometime perhaps in the next year. I’ve heard the governor wants to award them by the end of the year. So we’ll have selections made and things will move forward.

What’s the state of horse racing in New York? Any notable legislation that you’re eyeing on that front?

From the perspective of someone who represents the thoroughbred racetrack, I would say the state of thoroughbred racing is strong. It’s a multibillion-dollar industry. It supports jobs and farms … across the state. We are seeing strong attendance at the summer meet and strong handle on and off the track. I think New York is known for world-class racing and I see nothing on the horizon but that going forward. Just as the technology changes are having an impact on casino businesses, we see the advance deposit wagering systems also being a part of the distribution network for racing. If we go back into history, the distribution of racing was at the track. You were either there or you weren’t. Then we had (off-track betting). If you were a fan of racing, you could go watch it at an OTB location. With more technology, the race content has been distributed electronically and you can watch electronically. That distribution mechanism is something we need to look at and make sure that everyone is being compensated appropriately, the horsemen, NYRA, and the breeders, for the product that is being produced.

What’s the status of legislation that would legalize online casino gambling in New York? Any chance of passing?

I think in the Assembly we’ll be taking a look at it, but I would not think that we’re ready to take that step yet. There’s a lot to look at. I know it’s out there and under consideration and I’ll certainly take a hard look at it. We’ll see.

Do you expect sports betting companies to continue to make a push in Albany this year to lower the 51% tax rate on gambling revenue? If so, do you see the Legislature reconsidering the existing tax structure this year?

I have not heard that yet, although certainly we’ve had hearings where in the past the owners of those companies have objected to the tax rate. But I have not been approached about it.

New York set a new record in 2024 for online betting after betters wagered more than $22.6 billion. Will there be continued growth in 2025?

I wouldn’t bet against it. I don’t really have a crystal ball to tell whether we will hit a plateau or keep growing. There seems to be a strong appetite for sports betting. I wouldn’t bet against its growth.

Any other key legislation you expect to come through your committee this year? 

I think we will be looking at guardrails around problem gaming, with mobile gaming particularly. I think aftercare for horses is something that we’ll be looking at. (Former Committee Chair J. Gary) Pretlow did a hearing on equine drug testing this past December, and I identified some areas where I want us to strengthen the transparency around equine drug testing to make sure the integrity of the sport is protected.