There are three Indian casinos located in upstate New York. The terms of the compact between the tribes and the state allow only table games and slot machines are not permitted.

All of the tribes have video gaming machines which offer slot-style games, plus keno and poker. These machines do not pay out in cash. Instead, they print out a receipt which must be exchanged for cash.

In October 2001 the New York Assembly passed legislation to expand gambling within the state by allowing up to six Indian casinos. Three of the casinos would be located in the western half of the state and the other three would be located in the Catskills (about a three-hour drive from midtown Manahattan).

As of August 2003 the only Indian casino to open was in Niagara Falls and the other casinos were still in the planning stages.

All New York Indian casinos are open 24 hours and offer the following games: blackjack, craps, roulette, pai gow poker, mini-baccarat, Caribbean stud poker, let it ride, money (big six) wheel and poker. The minimum gambling age is 21 at Niagara and 18 at the others.

For more information on visiting New York call the state’s travel information center at (800) 225-5697.

Pari-Mutuels

In October 2001, legislation was passed to allow for the introduction of slot machine-type video lottery terminals (VLTs) at eight racetracks.

Vernon  Downs, was expected to be the first to have the VLT’s in operation by late 2003. The other seven tracks should all have their VLT’s in operation by mid-2004.

Aqueduct
110-00 Rockaway Boulevard
Jamaica, New York 11417
(718) 641-4700
Website: www.nyra.com/aqueduct
Location: 15 miles E. of Manhattan

Admission: $1       Clubhouse: $3
Self-Parking: $1 Valet: $5
Restaurants: 2
Special Features: Live thoroughbred racing Wed-Sat. Daily simulcasting of thoroughbred racing.

Batavia Downs Race Track
8315 Park Road
Batavia, New York 14010
(585) 343-3750
Website: www.batavia-downs.com
Location: 35 miles E. of Buffalo

Admission: Free
Parking: Free
Restaurants: 1
Special Features: Live harness racing Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat from mid-July through mid-December. Daily simulcasting of throroughbred and harness racing.

Buffalo Raceway
5600 McKinley Parkway
Hamburg Fairgrounds
Hamburg, New York 14075
(716) 649-1280
Website: www.buffaloraceway.com
Location: 15 miles S. of Buffalo

Admission: Free
Parking: Free
Restaurants: 1
Special Features: Live harness racing Wed/Fri/Sat from February through July. Daily simulcasting of throroughbred and harness racing.

Finger Lakes Race Track
5857 Route 96
Farmington, NY 14425
(585) 924-3232
Website: www.fingerlakesracetrack.com
Location: 25 miles S. of Rochester

Admission: Free
Parking: Free
Restaurants: 2
Special Features: Live thoroughbred horse racing (Fri-Tue) mid-April through late November. Simulcasting offered every day.

Monticello Raceway
Route 17B
Monticello, New York 12701
(845) 794-4100
Website: www.monticelloraceway.com
Location: 50 miles W. of Newburgh

Admission: Free/$1.50 (Sun)
Self-Parking: Free
Restaurants: 1
Special Features: Year-round live harness racing Sun-Wed. Daily simulcast of throroughbred and harness racing.

Saratoga Raceway
Crescent Avenue
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
(518) 584-2110
Website: www.saratogaraceway.com
Location: 25 miles N. of Schenectady

Admission: Free
Parking: Free
Restaurants: 1
Special Features: Live harness racing on various evenings from November through September. Daily simulcasting of throroughbred and harness racing.

Vernon Downs
14 Ruth Street
Vernon, New York 13476
(315) 829-2201
Website: www.vernondowns.com
Location: 30 miles E. of Syracuse

Toll-Free Number: (877) 777-8559
Room Reservations: (866) 829-3400
Suites: 87  Price Range: $79-$250
Admission: Free
Parking: Free
Restaurants: 1
Special Features: Live harness racing Thu-Sun  evenings May through November. Daily simulcasting of throroughbred and harness racing.

Yonkers Raceway
8100 Central Avenue
Yonkers, New York 10704
(914) 968-4200
Website: www.yonkersraceway.com
Location: 20 miles N. of Manhattan

Restaurants: 1
Self-Parking: $2  Valet: $5
Special Features: Year-round live harness racing Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat evenings. Daily simulcasting of throroughbred and harness racing.