NYRA: CAW Trends Impacted by Changes in Tote Operations

[Wandering Eyes]

Last week, economics professors Marshall Gramm and Nick McKinney published a study in
these pages showing the impacts at Aqueduct the past four winters from CAW players during the
last flash across all the pools.

According to that study, the percentage share from CAW players of monies wagered last-minute
into the Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta and Early Pick 5 pools (among others) had jumped
significantly between 2022 and 2024.

In light of that published study, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) has issued a
statement explaining that, in the fall of 2023, the organization had switched tote operators—from
AmTote to United Tote—resulting in “material differences” in how the pool cycles are managed.

“It would be impossible to make any meaningful determinations about the final cycle data
without understanding and accounting for the 2023 change in tote operations,” wrote NYRA
spokesperson, Pat McKenna.

NYRA's full statement is as follows:

“NYRA transitioned tote operations from AmTote to United Tote in the Fall of 2023, an
important fact not mentioned or discussed in the analysis recently published by TDN. There are
material differences in how these operators manage pool cycles, which is reflected in the 2024
data as compared with 2023. It would be impossible to make any meaningful determinations
about the final cycle data without understanding and accounting for the 2023 change in tote
operations.

“In recent years, NYRA has implemented a series of policies that effectively restrict the
wagering activity of CAW groups. In addition, NYRA is developing technology designed to
provide retail customers with advanced wagering tools and more information than ever before.”

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