Four confirmed to New York State Racing and Wagering Board

The New York Senate on Thursday confirmed the first four appointees to the New York Gaming Commission, the regulatory agency that replaced the New York State Racing and Wagering Board as of Feb. 1 of this year.

The appointments, which were made by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, will allow the commission to conduct its business a full five months after it first came into existence. Since its Feb. 1 inception, the commission, which regulates casino gambling, horse racing, the lottery, and other gambling in the state, has been led by Robert Williams, who has had limited powers to issue any decisions or rulings without a sitting board.

The appointees are:

◗ John Crotty, a former member of the board of directors of the defunct New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation and a former member of the New York State Franchise Oversight Board, which has broad powers over the New York Racing Association, a state agency;

◗ John J. Poklemba, an upstate New York attorney who was the criminal justice adviser in the administration of Gov. Mario Cuomo, the current governor’s father;

◗ Barry Sample, former deputy director of state operations for Cuomo who has a 20-year history in state government; and

◗ Todd R. Snyder, a former member of Cuomo’s Labor Negotiating Team and the current executive vice chairman of North American Global Financial Advisory.