NYRA launching new ADW program

The New York Racing Association announced Tuesday that it will launch a new national advance-deposit wagering platform in July. The ADW will be known as NYRA Bets and will take the place of its current platform, NYRA Rewards.

NYRA Bets will launch sometime in July, roughly coinciding with the opening of the Saratoga meet on July 22, according to Patrick McKenna, NYRA’s director of media relations/communications.

NYRA Bets will be available to horseplayers from around the country whereas NYRA Rewards was open only to New York residents. Current NYRA Rewards customers will be transitioned to the new platform.

The transition from NYRA Rewards to NYRA Bets will occur over the coming days and weeks with some changes noticeable as early as Wednesday when NYRA begins its new live television programming on MSG-Plus. Starting Wednesday, NYRA will show two hours of live racing (4 to 6 p.m. Eastern) each racing day through mid-October at Belmont and Saratoga.

Tony Allevato, a former executive with TVG, has been hired as president of NYRA Bets and executive producer for NYRA television.