Several Off-Track Betting Locations Are Closing In Western New York

As more people start to do their sports and horse racing betting online, the more traditional ways of people placing their bets need to change along with it. That is a major realization that people in charge of the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation are dealing with, as several of the betting parlors are losing money, even as the amount of money being spent on bets has increased.

While the money being earned via online bets and in-person bets at Batavia Downs has gone up, several of the regional Off-Track Betting locations are seeing losses. Because of that, as many as six New York State OTB locations are going to shut their doors over the next month, with operations being consolidated among the remaining branches.

According to the Buffalo News, locations in Cheektowaga, Tonawanda, Jamestown, Rochester, and Auburn would shut their doors, leaving just two open locations.

Through the end of August, those locations have run an operating loss of $700,000, and that number is expected to reach at least $1 million by year's end. As WROTB is a government-sponsored public benefit corporation, originally created in 1973, it has a responsibility to ensure public money is best used to support the counties of Western New York. It was just a few years ago when 9 other locations were closed for similar reasons.

READ MORE: Some Western New Yorkers Hurting As Diesel Costs Keep Rising

These closures are set in stone, yet the WROTB board has to vote on the proposed closures and the transition plan that would follow. According to WIVB-TV, closing these locations and selling the properties could net OTB around $2 million, which would then be available to local governments in New York.

Generally speaking, more changes in the way we shop and spend our money should be expected as more people choose online services over in-person.