The New York State Gaming Commission

06/19/2026

NYSGC Panel Reviewing Fire Prevention Infrastructure at all NYS Racetrack Horse Barns

Following the tragic fire at Saratoga Casino Hotel on June 16, 2026, a New York State Gaming Commission panel is reviewing the circumstances of the fire and all fire prevention and suppression infrastructure at horse barns at the 11 racetracks located in New York State.

“The fire at Saratoga was a terrible tragedy, and we offer our deepest condolences to the connections of the horses that were lost,” said Commission Chairman Brian O’Dwyer. “We are conducting an immediate, top-to-bottom review of fire prevention methods currently in place at barns and determining what more can be done to prevent such a tragedy from reoccurring.”

Currently, the Commission mandates that all structures on the grounds of a racetrack comply with their host locality’s building codes, which include fire prevention and suppression measures. The Commission requires each track provide evidence of such compliance as part of their annual track license application. The horse barns at tracks operated by The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) – Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park, and Aqueduct – are equipped with fire prevention and suppression measures.

The June 16 fire and other recent incidents have prompted the Commission to consider whether more focused action is necessary to prevent fires in barns that house racehorses across the state. The panel, led by Commissioner Martin Mack and including Commissioners Peter Moschetti and Jerry Skurnik, will examine the circumstances of the June 16 fire and conduct a systemic review of fire prevention methods. The panel will report its findings to the full Commission upon completion.

In the interim, the Commission strongly urges that all tracks ensure that smoke, fire and heat detectors and fire extinguishers are installed in each barn that does not yet have such equipment – as soon as possible.

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Following the tragic fire at Saratoga Casino Hotel on June 16, 2026, a New York State Gaming Commission panel is reviewing the circumstances of the fire and all fire prevention and suppression infrastructure at horse barns at the 11 racetracks located in New York State. 

06/12/2026

DYK: The Commission controls the sports wagering menu and limits the sports and leagues accepted for sports wagering. New York State Racing Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law section 1367(11) and Commission Rule 5329.13(b)(2)(v) specifically provide sports leagues and governing bodies the ability to seek restriction, limitation or exclusion of certain wagers. Leagues are encouraged to avail themselves of this tool, should they have a reasonable belief that such a restriction, exclusion, or limitation would improve wagering integrity.

Leagues and governing bodies may submit requests for such restrictions by completing and submitting a form to [email protected].

Learn more about the Sports League Request to Restrict, Limit or Exclude Wagering on Sporting Events form at:

06/07/2026

Chairman Brian O’Dwyer was honored to present the trophy to the winning connections of the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga Race Course

06/07/2026

The 2026 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course

06/03/2026

New Yorkers should understand what is at risk when betting in the unlawful gambling market, whether via prediction markets or offshore operators. The unlawful market:

Provides No Societal Benefit
Unlike regulated gaming, the unlawful market contributes no gaming tax revenue to important causes and instead siphons revenue from schools, local governments, and charitable organizations across the state, including resources to combat gambling harms.

Enables Youth Access
The minimum age to wager on prediction markets and many offshore platforms is 18 instead of 21, the legal age to place a sports wager in New York State. The unlawful market has no safeguards to prevent underage use, which leaves youth susceptible to the very real dangers of gambling harms. These platforms do not comply with New York requirements to avoid marketing to underage individuals, such as on college campuses.

Fails to Protect Consumers and has Serious Integrity Issues
Unlawful operators have little to no recourse or customer service to resolve disputes. They permit predatory market makers to profit off patrons of all ages. Such operators may have no required anti-money laundering (AML) or know-your-customer (KYC) controls in place, leaving patrons’ funds, activities, and information at-risk. Patrons may be unwittingly supporting organized crime through making bets.

Essentially Answers to No One and Threatens Fair Competition
Where licensed sports wagering contributes billions of dollars in tax revenue for New York’s public schools, unlawful operators don’t pay a dime. Nor do they follow any comprehensive gambling rules. With no Commission oversight, there may be no one to hold them accountable.

Learn more at

Of-age New Yorkers should avoid unlawful gambling sites and wager with licensed operators only.

06/03/2026

Prediction-market and event-contract platforms are not licensed by the Commission to offer wagering in New York State. They, along with unlicensed, offshore online gaming purveyors, are operating unlawfully in New York.

The Commission strongly encourages New Yorkers of age to patronize licensed sports wagering operators that are required to have important safeguards and player protections in place.

The unlawful gambling market siphons significant revenue from New York’s schools, local governments, support services for gambling harms, and charitable organizations across New York. These companies keep the profit while New Yorkers get none of the benefits.

The unlawful operators’ house rules may not be reviewed by any regulator. This makes it easy for bad actors to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals. Some unlawful operators permit dubious, dangerous and reprehensible wager options, including bets on political violence and war. They may allow insider trading, making your wager unfair when measured against market participants who possess nonpublic information that bears on the wager. Also, a bettor may be left with no recourse if the operator declines to pay advertised winnings or resolves an event contract in a way that contradicts the actual or perceived outcome.

Unlawful operators advertise and market to those who have voluntarily excluded from all forms of gambling in New York State. They also advertise on college campuses, which is prohibited in New York.

With no controls, restrictions, or meaningful oversight, the unlawful market creates an environment where unregulated actors can rip-off unsuspecting bettors, causing significant unforeseen losses.

Learn more at

Of-age New Yorkers should avoid unlawful gambling sites and wager with licensed operators only.

06/02/2026

You may be making a risky bet if...
-The operator is not licensed or regulated by us
-The website/application has no customer service, “about” link or contact info
-The operator is located outside the U.S.
-No age-restriction controls
-No responsible gaming measures

Learn more at

Of-age New Yorkers should avoid unlawful gambling sites and wager with licensed operators only.

06/02/2026

Avoid Risky Bets!

Of-age New Yorkers should avoid unlawful gambling sites and wager with licensed operators only.

Learn the risks at on.ny.gov/riskybet

06/01/2026

New York’s Powerball launches Double Play on June 2

https://gaming.ny.gov/news/new-yorks-powerball-launches-double-play-june-2

Plus, Get a Chance to Win a FREE Ticket on Power Wednesdays
The New York Lottery today announced the launch of a new add-on for Powerball called Double Play. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature to Powerball, which gives players another chance to match their Powerball numbers in a second drawing featuring a top prize of $10 million. The new feature will be available beginning June 2, 2026 and the first Double Play drawing for New York Powerball players will be held June 3, 2026.

“The Double Play add-on is an exciting new Powerball feature that provides players a second chance at real life-changing money – just for an extra buck,” said New York State Gaming Commission Chairman Brian O’Dwyer. “The best part is that even if you don’t hit a jackpot, New York’s schools still win each time you play.”

Double Play numbers will be drawn on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays in a separate drawing that occurs approximately 30 minutes after the Powerball drawing. Players use the same numbers in the Powerball drawing and Double Play drawing. Powerball tickets that include Double Play are eligible to win prizes in both the Powerball and Double Play drawings. Drawings can be viewed at https://nylottery.ny.gov/live-drawings.

Double Play prizes include $7; $10; $20; $500; $50,000; $500,000; $10,000,000. The odds for Double Play are the same as the odds for Powerball.

Powerball already offers the Power Play add-on for an additional $1 per $2 Powerball purchase. Power Play offers players a chance to multiply non-jackpot Powerball prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 times. The second prize (match 5) with Power Play is always $2 million (2x). Prizes won in the Double Play drawing are not multiplied by the Power Play multiplier.

A Powerball ticket can include BOTH add-ons, Double Play and Power Play. A player may select any of the following combinations:

Powerball $2

Powerball $2 + Power Play $1 = $3

Powerball $2 + Double Play $1 = $3

Powerball $2 + Power Play $1 + Double Play $1 = $4

New Powerball play slips are available at retail locations. Game play and selection is still the same for Powerball and Power Play. More information about Double Play is at nylottery.ny.gov/powerball.

Powerball Power Wednesdays is a retail promotion to support the new Powerball with Double Play game every Wednesday from June 3 – July 29, 2026. Any eligible person who purchases a single Powerball ticket (any value) will have the chance to randomly win a Powerball with Double Play ticket ($3 value).

Each Wednesday in June and July from 12:00 a.m. -11:59 p.m., a FREE $3 Powerball with Double Play ticket prize will be awarded randomly to an eligible person at the time of the qualifying purchase. The prize ticket will be generated by the Lottery’s sales agent terminal or vending machine immediately upon processing the qualifying purchase. The Lottery expects to give away approximately 650,000 free tickets during the promotion.

More information about Powerball Power Wednesdays may be found at nylottery.ny.gov/promotions.

The New York Lottery continues to be North America's largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.6 billion in fiscal year 2024-2025 to benefit public schools in New York State.

New Yorkers struggling with a gambling addiction, or who know someone who is, can call New York's toll-free confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369), or text HOPENY (467369). Standard text rates may apply. To learn more about real-world gambling harms, visit https://oasas.ny.gov/prevention/gambling.

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The New York Lottery today announced the launch of a new add-on for Powerball called Double Play. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature to Powerball, which gives players another chance to match their Powerball numbers in a second drawing featuring a top prize of $10 million. The new feature will be ava...

05/20/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kh294ijRIM

Remember you must be 18+ to purchase a Lottery ticket. Please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Visit NYProblemGamblingHelp.org. Call the HOPEline 1-877-84...