NYRA Implements New Guardrails for Computer Assisted Wagering

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association (NYRA) recently announced the implementation of a new policy designed to reduce late-stage odds volatility by establishing guardrails around Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) activity within NYRA’s pari-mutuel wagering pools.

Beginning Feb. 5, NYRA requires CAW activity to cease at one minute to post in all wagering pools not previously subject to high-speed wagering restrictions.

CAW activity is defined by NYRA and its peer tracks according to the speed of wager execution. NYRA considers wagering to be CAW activity when that speed exceeds six bets per second.

“This policy reflects the importance of modernizing pari-mutuel wagering to address the technology-driven evolution of high-speed wagering,” said David O’Rourke, NYRA’s president and CEO. “Reducing odds volatility will increase pricing transparency and improve the wagering experience for horseplayers in New York and across the country.”

In 2021, NYRA became the first racing organization in the United States to establish a timing restriction for CAW activity specific to the win pool. The measure, which prohibits CAW play into the win pool later than two minutes to post, has eliminated dramatic late odds fluctuations while providing NYRA with a foundation of relevant data and information.

The current NYRA win pool policy will remain in effect and NYRA will continue to offer its Late Pick 5 and Pick 6 as retail-only wagers.