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Mass. Gaming Commission reviews 2025 racing report and unanimously approves NYRA Bets for Plainridge harness wagering
Summary
Commissioners heard the racing division's 2025 report and financial results, including a $1.98M receipts total and a $249.76M total handle, and voted 5–0 to allow NYRA Bets to operate as an account-wagering provider for Plainridge Park Casino’s harness races.
Dr. Lightbound presented the racing division's 2025 annual report to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on April 23, describing a "very safe year" at Plainridge Park and noting regulatory steps taken to protect horse health and welfare.
Chad, the division’s financial analyst, summarized 2025 financials: the division collected $1,983,658 in receipts (including about $881,000 in commissions, $749,000 in assessments and roughly $275,000 in association licensing fees). He said the total pari‑mutuel handle for the year was $249,756,932; ADW providers accounted for about $189 million of that handle. Chad also reported that the Racehorse Development Fund distributed $21 million for purses and related funding, and that purses rose roughly 7% year over year.
Staff then presented a vendor request: Chris McErlean on behalf of Plainridge Park Casino sought approval for NYRA Bets to operate as a 2026 account-wagering (ADW) provider for standardbred and harness races. Commissioners were told NYRA Bets has operated in Massachusetts venues previously and that approval would help meet signal/display timing requirements set out in Section 128C(25).
Commissioner Hill moved to approve Plainville Gaming and Redevelopment LLC d/b/a Plainridge Park Casino's request to approve NYRA Bets as a 2026 ADW provider for standardbred/harness races; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call, 5–0.
The commission closed the racing items with thanks to staff and track stakeholders for the safe season.
