Batavia Downs Appoints Ernst and Young to Solve Slots Related Issues

After being reprimanded by the New York Division of Lottery, the operators of the Batavia Downs have agreed to appoint an outside consulting group to help solve the issues involving slot machine accounting procedures.

The Western Regional Off Track Betting Corporation directors have suggested that Ernst and Young LLP be retained as consultants to manage and make some recommendations about its operations at the Batavia Downs including its 605-slot machine gaming facility. Ernst and Young was one of the eight groups that answered Western Regional Off Track Betting's RFP. Ernst and Young's bid for $70,000 must be accepted by the Division of Lottery.

Martin Biniasz, the director of marketing of the Western Regional Off Track Betting Corporation and the Batavia Downs Casino, said on March 26th, 2010 that they believe that Ernst and Young is an impartial overseer and will make sure that all of their internal processes are carefully followed.

In early February 2010, the Division of Lottery sent a letter to the Western Regional Off Track Betting Corporation where it raised some concerns about what it considered internal slot machine operations violations. Some of the issues raised by the Division of Lottery were incomplete minutes from board meetings, discrepancies in capital expenses and incomplete salary reports.

The state division recommended that an outside consulting firm be retained to help correct the violations and keep an eye on gaming activities in the Batavia Downs. The state threatened to confiscate the slots license of the Batavia Downs if its recommendation was not followed.

Ernst and Young has a comprehensive resume of working on casino gaming related compliance issues. Among its clients include Seneca Gaming Corporation's three Western New York casino facilities and Delaware North Co.'s Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track operation.

Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Kori Woffendin