President and Chief Executive Officer

Reports to: Board of Directors
Status: Full-time, exempt
Location: Capital Region, New York
Salary: Commensurate with experience

PLEASE APPLY HERE

POSITION SUMMARY

The President & CEO is the statutory general manager of Capital District Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, a New York public benefit corporation. The Board of Directors appoints the President & CEO, who administers the corporations affairs under the Boards direct supervision and control and must devote full time to the role.

The core mandate of the President & CEO is to generate a profit and distribute the revenue to the participating counties and cities and to the racing industry. This is accomplished through holding and growing pari-mutuel handle, acquiring and retaining customers, and staying competitive with other New York wagering entities other regional OTBs, NYRA and NYRA Bets, Finger Lakes, national advanced-deposit wagering platforms, casinos, and mobile sports betting. OTBTV, the corporations 24/7 horse-racing television network, is an owned asset that supports those goals.

MISSION PRIORITIES

1. Maintain and grow handle.


2. Acquire new customers and keep existing ones active.


3. Compete effectively with other New York racing, gaming, and sports-betting operators.


4. Use branches, account wagering, and OTBTV to serve those three goals.


5. Protect the public franchise: controls, licensing, and statutory distributions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Handle, customers, and competitive position

• Own the corporations handle and net-revenue results. Set targets for total handle, account-wagering handle, new-account growth, reactivation, and retention, and report those results to the Board.


• Compete for the New York horseplayer against other in-state and out-of-state Internet Betting sites, other regional OTBs, national ADW platforms, racinos, and sportsbooks.


• Grow the customer base: account acquisition, branch conversion to accounts, rewards, and win-back of lapsed players.


• Direct branch operations, the Clubhouse Race Book, self-service terminals, telephone wagering, and internet/account wagering so the product is easy to use and competitive with alternatives.


• Price, promote, and package wagering within statutory limits so Capital OTB is competitive without undermining margin or compliance.


• Use customer and wagering data to decide which tracks, bet types, promotions, and hours actually move handle.

OTBTV as a handle and acquisition tool

• Oversee OTBTV, the corporation-owned network that carries horse-racing programming 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on cable, in branches, and on streaming (including Roku and the web).


• Treat the channel as a distribution and marketing platform for Capital Bets and the branch network: live NYRA and Finger Lakes simulcasts, national and international signals, morning handicapping shows, and other programming that helps drive handle for the Corporation.


• Keep the signal reliable and the programming useful to horse players. Measure the channel by wagering and account results it supports, not by airtime alone.


• Supervise carriage, streaming, production cost, and content-rights deals so OTBTV remains affordable and tied to the wagering business.

Governance and Board relations

• Implement Board policy and report on handle, customer metrics, competitive position, finances, OTBTV performance, compliance, and risk.


• Prepare the annual financial plan and operating and capital budgets.


• Oversee preparation of timely monthly financials, cash-flow statements, aged payables, and other materials the Board needs to act.


• Recommend senior appointments, major contracts, and capital projects for Board approval.

Finance and fiduciary duty

• Safeguard public assets. Maintain internal controls, procurement discipline, and documentation of spending.


• Oversee finance leadership. Ensure audits, annual reports, and statutory remittances to participating municipalities and the racing industry are accurate and on time.


• Balance growth spending (marketing, rewards, media, facilities) against distributions the participating municipalities expect.

Regulatory and public affairs

• Ensure compliance with the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law, Gaming Commission rules, simulcast and account-wagering requirements, and applicable labor, procurement, and ethics laws.


• Maintain required New York State Gaming Commission licenses and staff licensing.


• Work with General Counsel on contracts and disputes that affect competitive position or operating authority.


• Work with Corporations lobbyist to draft legislation to be submitted to State officials.


• Represent the corporation with the Gaming Commission, the Legislature, participating local governments, in-state and out-of-state racetracks, and industry groups.


• Compliance with the New York State Public Authorities Accountability Act.

People

• Lead senior staff across operations, marketing, finance, legal, and media.


• Set the tone for customer service, fiscal discipline, and integrity of the wager.


• Perform other duties assigned by the Board.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Substantial senior executive experience (10+ years) in pari-mutuel wagering, gaming, racing, or a closely related customer and revenue business.


• A record of growing or defending handle, revenue, or customer accounts in a competitive market.


• Experience with account wagering, retail wagering, or both.


• Ability to work with a politically appointed Board and to explain results in handle, customer activity, and distributions to municipal partners.


• Working knowledge of New York Racing Law, Gaming Commission regulation, and public-benefit-corporation finance, or the ability to master them quickly.


• Bachelors degree required; advanced degree or license (CPA) preferred.


• Ability to obtain and maintain all required New York State Gaming Commission licenses.


• Willingness to work a full-time schedule that includes evenings, weekends, and major race days.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Direct New York OTB, NYRA, or ADW experience.


• Experience using television, streaming, or rewards programs to acquire wagering customers.


• Familiarity with the competitive set in New York: other OTBs, NYRA Bets, racinos, and mobile sports betting.


• Multi-site operations experience.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• On-site leadership of corporate offices, branches, the Clubhouse Race Book, and OTBTV as needed.


• Full-time duties, as required by Racing Law 502(14).


• This is not a 9 to 5 position.


• Subject to public disclosure and ethics rules for public authorities under Racing Law 502.


• Employment is at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

BENEFITS

• New York State Local Employee Retirement (NYSLRS)


• Medical


• Dental


• Vision


• Life Insurance

ABOUT THE ENTERPRISE

Capital District Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation is a New York State public benefit corporation providing off-track betting services to the Capital Region with 14 branches and 32 EZ-Bet locations. Headquartered in Schenectady, NY, Capital OTB operates a network of facilities that support responsible wagering on horse racing. The organization generates approximately $90 million in handle annually that helps support local municipalities. Team members work in a regulated, customer-facing environment where integrity, compliance, and community impact are central to operations. Capital OTB continues to modernize its services and facilities to better serve patrons and stakeholders. Capital OTB serves 16 Capital Region counties and the City of Schenectady through branches, EZ-Bets, the Clubhouse Race Book in Albany, and account, phone, and internet wagering. It also owns OTB TV, a 24/7 horse racing television and streaming service.