The New York State Racing and Wagering Board approved new online gambling regulations this week, permitting New York racetracks and offtrack betting sites to take online bets for racing events taking place within state borders. The decision to do so has been met with heightened criticism of late, which began shortly after the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Deemed to be riddled with several carve-outs for horseracing and fantasy sports betting, the anti-online gambling legislation is, at the very least, being regarded as hypocritical.

New York is especially under the label of hypocrisy, for its District Attorney has developed a notorious reputation for being dead set against online casino gambling, including sports betting and poker. His support for horse betting is nothing short of mind boggling if you ask anyone other than staunch supporters of offtrack betting. However, it is apparently the opinions of those who are in high-seat lobbying positions that matter the most.

The President of New York City OTB, Ray Casey, says he has been lobbying in Congress for two years to try and get online betting for horse racing legalized. He is understandably pleased about the new legislation. Bill Nader, who is the Senior Vice President of the New York Racing Association, is also understandably quite pleased with the new regulations, which are supposed to go into effect just around the corner on January 22, 2007. Nader, who is pushing to ensure the regulations go into effect as planned, referred to the actions of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board as a "breakthrough".

The current law regulating horserace betting limits the means in which bettors can put down stakes on live races, both on and off the track. In the communicable realm, this was essentially limited to telephone betting for offtrack betting sites. Now, the regulations that are to legalize online betting for offtrack horseracing are being catapulted by the aforementioned legislation referred to as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. To quote a popular song, "Isn't it ironic?...Don't you think?"