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NYRA introduces NYRA Bets Gift Cards now available at Stewart's Shops

by Pat McKenna, Mark Bardack

New initiative provides racing fans with easy way to bet and give the gift of Saratoga this summer

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced a new initiative to make betting Saratoga more convenient than ever with the introduction of NYRA Bets Gift Cards. The gift cards, which are available in $50 denominations, can be used to deposit funds automatically into a NYRA Bets account to bet Saratoga Race Course online this summer, in addition to numerous racetracks nationwide.

The new NYRA Bets Gift Cards are available for purchase at more than 150 Stewart's Shops across the greater Capital Region, including Warren County.

NYRA Bets Gift Cards can be used to fund both active and new NYRA Bets accounts. Fans who open a new NYRA Bets account with a NYRA Bets Gift Card will be eligible for a deposit match from their initial deposit.

"Our goal in introducing NYRA Bets Gift Cards is to make it as easy as possible for fans to continue to engage with Saratoga Race Course during this unprecedented time," said NYRA Bets President Tony Allevato. "Stewart's Shops proved to be an outstanding partner in selling Saratoga season passes and we are confident our fans will likewise embrace and enjoy the convenience and affordability of purchasing NYRA Bets Gift Cards at their local Stewart's. Fans can purchase the cards for themselves or to give the gift of Saratoga."

A NYRA Bets Gift Card is a preloaded card containing $50 to deposit in a NYRA Bets account, America's leading online betting platform. Each card includes a unique four-digit PIN. After purchasing the gift card, fans simply enter the PIN into their new or existing NYRA Bets account. The $50 will be available immediately to use when betting with NYRA Bets. Each card comes with three simple, step-by-step instructions.

The announcement comes one day before the start of the 2020 meet at Saratoga Race Course, which gets underway on Thursday, July 16. NYRA Bets Gift Cards can be used to bet on racing at Saratoga throughout the 40-day season, including the 151st renewal of the Grade 1, $1 million Runhappy Travers on Saturday, August 8 and the Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney on Saturday, August 1.

Fans can also use the gift cards to bet on racing at other tracks, including the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, September 5, and the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, October 3.

The new venture is an extension of the long-time partnership between NYRA and Stewart's Shops, which has served as the exclusive retailer of Saratoga Race Course season admission passes since 2014.

"We're thrilled to evolve our partnership with NYRA by introducing these new gift cards, which are a great way for new and existing NYRA Bets users to get in on the racing action this summer," said Stewart's Shops President Gary Dake. "As a NYRA Bets user myself, I know how simple it is to use this state-of-the-art technology. We're proud to be the first retailer to carry these cards, which make it easier than ever for new and experienced fans alike to wager on racing this summer."

Registering for a NYRA Bets account is free. There are no processing fees or premiums applied when purchasing or using a NYRA Bets Gift Card. NYRA Bets Gift Cards are available for purchase by cash only; credit cards are not accepted. For a complete list of participating Stewart's Shops locations, visit https://www.stewartsshops.com/participating-nyra-shops/.

The 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course will begin on Thursday, July 16 and run through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Following the four-day opening weekend, live racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays. The summer meet will conclude on Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Under current New York State guidelines, Saratoga Race Course will open without spectators in attendance.

Saratoga Live will present daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Saratoga Race Course and the best way to bet every race of the 40-day summer meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, NYRA Bets is currently offering a $200 new member bonus in addition to a host of special weekly offers. The NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at NYRABets.com.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

About the New York Racing Association

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) holds the exclusive franchise to conduct thoroughbred racing at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.

NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of New York State's thoroughbred industry, which is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual statewide economic impact.

Accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, NYRA is a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, a group of the nation's leading racing organizations working collaboratively to advance safety reforms across the sport.

Over the course of 217 days of live racing in 2019, NYRA generated more than $2.1 billion in all-sources wagering handle with paid attendance exceeding 1.5 million.

For more information, visit NYRA.com.