Get your off track betting action at Tioga Downs, one of the many available horse racing tracks at YouWager.lv’s racebook.
Situated on 138 acres near Nichols, New York, Tioga Downs is a standardbred racetrack and racino with a motif reminiscent of a county fair. The Grand Circuit Tompkins Geers, the $300,000 Cane Pace (the first leg of Pacing’s Triple Crown), and its female equivalent, the Shady Daisy, are among the premier harness stakes races held at Tioga Downs. The 5/8-mile harness racetrack reopened as Tioga Downs Casino in 2006 following a 30-year closure.
Tioga Downs History
Tioga Downs Racetrack was formerly known as “Tioga Park”. It went out of business in 1976 after just three seasons. “The track had been losing thousands of dollars a day and was still in the red after three years of operation,” the track’s owner declared at the time. That was the last time the venue hosted anything more than a few private races and the sporadic flea market.
Real estate executive, horse owner, and racing aficionado Jeffrey Gural started advocating for the state to approve Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) at racetracks in 2000. They received approval in 2005. Soon after, Mr. Gural paid $32 million for the former Tioga Park with assistance from Nevada Gold and Casinos (New York Times, 2006; Press and Sun Bulletin, 2006). On July 22, 2005, a groundbreaking ceremony was place.
Tioga Downs debuted on June 9, 2006, with more than 800 VLTs, harness racing, and simulcast betting. In addition to a Subway(TM) restaurant, banquet space, coffee/bakery shop, and buffet, Tioga Downs features two bars. Additionally, it features a stage area where concerts are held. Performers including Tony Orlando, Vanilla Ice, Sister Sledge, and Gretchen Wilson have all performed at Tioga Downs. A trackside tent is accessible for events such as awards ceremonies, parties, business meetings, and wedding receptions during the warmer months. The Tioga Downs Flea Market opens its doors in 2011.
Tioga Downs has 802 VLTs with a payback average of roughly 92%. Three levels of player’s club cards are available at the racino: classic, progressive, and jackpot. There are Quick Draw(TM) and instant lottery tickets available outside the gaming area. There are slot machines, video poker, and keno inside the racino. The biggest progressive at a collection of Hot Shot machines is usually $250,000 or more.
Racing takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings and at 1:30 PM on Sundays at Tioga Downs from May through September. Two horses set the track record in 2011 and 2013 (bettor sweet and pet rock, respectively): the time is 1:48.1.
Since its establishment in 2006, Tioga Downs’ slot machine revenues have progressively climbed. The sum of the “net wins” (total credits wagered less total credits won) for the shortened fiscal years 2006–2007, 2007–2008, 2008–2009, 2010–2011, 2011–2012, and 2012–2013 was $30 million. Currently, every slot machine generates more than $200 in earnings every day.
In November 2013, owner Jeff Gural revealed plans to invest $60 million to construct a hotel, indoor parking, spa, and entertainment center. The construction would rely on how laws evolve and whether or not there would be a vote in November 2013 to increase the number of casinos in New York and allow table games at each casino.
Off Track Betting Guides
Get your off track betting action at Tioga Downs, one of the many available horse racing tracks at YouWager.lv’s racebook.