New York axes 10 outlets

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has ordered all state racetracks to cut off their signals to 10 simulcast locations, citing concerns that have arisen out of a federal indictment concerning illegal gambling through a handful of rebate shops.

The order will immediately affect two New York harness tracks, Yonkers Raceway and Monticello Raceway. Saratoga Raceway, an upstate harness track, is scheduled to begin a live race meet next week.

The New York Racing Association, which operates Aqueduct racetrack, had already notified the sites named in the order that they would be cut off. Finger Lakes, the upstate New York Thoroughbred track, is scheduled to begin its 2005 meet in mid-April.

Stacy Clifford, a spokeswoman for the board, said that the board had no plans to reinstate its approval of the sites.

"The withdrawal is not contingent on anything," Clifford said. "The board does not feel these sites should be taking wagers on New York tracks."

The sites named in the order were Racing and Gaming Services in St. Kitts; Lakes Region Greyhound Park in New Hampshire; Euro Off-Track on the Isle of Man; an operation run by the Tonkawa tribe in Oklahoma; a Native American operation in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; International Racing Group and Elite Turf Club in Curacao; Excelsior Casino in Aruba; and Capital Sports Ltd. and Darwin All Sports in Australia.

Lakes Region, Euro Off-Track, the Tonkawa site, International Racing Group and Elite Turf Club were all mentioned in the indictment. None of the sites has been charged with a crime.