Television Games Network (TVG) on Thursday launched an account wagering Web site on behalf of Yonkers Raceway targeting New York-based bettors, exclusively, marking the California-based group's first Internet betting venture into the state.
"Changes in New York law enabled racetracks to expand their service offerings to customers through account wagering via the Internet," said Robert Galterio, general manager of Yonkers Raceway.
Indeed, in January 2006, the state passed legislation allowing intrastate Internet-based horse race wagering.
Last week, Yonkers received approval from the New York State Racing and Wagering Board to launch the service, after the New York Racing Association (NYRA) -- competitor and operator of Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga racecourses -- received the go-ahead to launch its Internet wagering service in May of this year.
Bo Park, vice president of corporate communications at TVG, told IGN that Thursday's announcement covered the soft launch of the service, and the company would announce the tracks that would be added on "in the next few weeks."
Calls to Yonkers Raceway were not immediately returned.