Nassau OTB files appeal to pay tab

ALBANY -- Facing a multimillion-dollar judgment, Nassau Off-Track Betting Corp. has filed an appeal in a long-running legal fight with New York harness tracks, OTB officials said.

The fight involves lawsuits filed by harness tracks against Nassau and other regional OTBs for annual payments of simulcasting proceeds since 2004.

Nassau is liable for $4.5 million -- the largest tab for any of the OTBs. It faced an Oct. 31 deadline to pay $647,000, the amount the state Racing and Wagering Board says Nassau owes for 2010.

Nassau OTB has appealed that amount. Also, OTB attorney Arthur Walsh said the agency and harness track officials have agreed to a 30-day extension on previous years' payments sought by the tracks.