by Frank Angst

Betfair has reached an agreement with the New York Racing Association to provide its customers access to pari-mutuel wagering on NYRA races.

NYRA President Charlie Hayward said the agreement will help NYRA grow its international simulcast market. Betfair boasts 2.5-million customers, although the England-based company does not allow customers from the U.S.

“We are thrilled to offer the best year-round racing in the United States to the world’s leading online wagering company,” Hayward said. “Betfair is a cutting-edge organization and we look forward to an expansive relationship with them.”

Betfair’s Television Games Network, which it acquired in January, broadcasts NYRA races. Betfair acquired TVG in January 2009. Since that purchase, Betfair has been increasing its U.S. exposure.

“We are delighted to link up with NYRA, bringing new overseas money into their pools via our worldwide customer base of over 2.5-million, and crucially giving a new revenue stream to the U.S. racetracks, and of course increased U.S. betting opportunities to our customers,” said Betfair’s Head of Horse Racing Development Steven Johnson.

The agreement reached by the companies allows Betfair’s customers to start wagering immediately on Aqueduct.

Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times