Hailing from New Orleans, Lisa Spencer brings together math expertise and gambling know-how as Betting.us' editor. With a Master's degree in Applied Mathematics, she excels in game theory. Using statistical models and game theory, she develops and publishes betting strategies for Betting.us. Outside work, Lisa surfs the web for betting insights and does sports.
Western OTB - River Sportsbook Review
By Lisa Spencer
Senior Editor
Updated: November 7, 2024
From harness to handicap, Western OTB – River is one of New York's top off-track betting locations. Our team of experts has carefully analyzed the racebook and its options to familiarize you with the branch. Read on to learn more about its bet types and the schedule.
Western OTB - River
| Official Name | Western OTB - River |
|---|---|
| Type | Off-Track |
| Full address | 550 River Road, Tonawanda, NY 14120, USA |
| Rating: |
Western OTB - River Sportsbook
The River branch of Western OTB focuses on horse racing, providing a wide selection of events nationwide. You can find afternoon thoroughbred races at Churchill Downs or evening harness races at Tioga Downs. There are also handicap events, and you can also find Woodbine Mohawk events from Canada. The branch has a schedule with all available races, which you can also check on their website.
The website also has a guide, which can help you make better predictions and keep track of upcoming events. You can also check the past performance of a specific horse, so you can decide if it will win. Always remember to gamble responsibly and to prepare before placing your bets.
Popular Sports to Bet at Western OTB - River
| Horse Racing | Harness, Thoroughbred |
|---|---|
| ...and many more | |
What Types of Bets Can I Make at Western OTB - River?
When browsing the events, you should also consider your preferred bet type. While most newcomers stick to show or place, you can also try quinella, where you bet on two horses that must finish first or second in either order. There's also Daily Double, where you predict the winners of two separate races.
Experienced players can try the Pick 6 bet, where you try to guess the winner of six separate races. The money pool for these bets remains until someone wins. If a horse is withdrawn, you can get a refund, although some events also feature coupled entries, where you can bet on multiple horses for the price of a single one. Overall, these options can rival some of the top sportsbooks in Buffalo.
Western OTB - River Sportsbook Details
When visiting the River branch of Western OTB, you should also check the work hours. While it is open throughout most of the week, it has different hours depending on the day. For example, it closes after the last NYRA race on Sunday, usually around 6:00 pm. Note that you must also be at least 18 years old to place bets.
| Open Hours | Mon: 11am - 6pm, Wed-Sat: 11am - 6pmSunday: 12:00 pm - Last NYRA Race |
|---|---|
| Betting Operator | Western Regional OTB |
| Live Betting | Available |
| Mobile Betting App | Not Available |
| Simulcast/Off-Track Betting Offered | Yes |
| Betting Limits | Minimum of $10 |
| Gambling Legal Age | 18+ |
| Seating Places | 20+ |
| Entrance Fee | No Entrance Fee |
| Number of Screens/Info Tables | 10+ |
Explore Western OTB - River
Unfortunately, the Western OTB branch in River does not have any other gambling options. There is no sportsbook, as the establishment is focused on horse racing, and you won't find any casino games. We hope more options will be available in the future, including more horse racing bet types.
Casino at Western OTB - River
While casinos are legal in New York, Western OTB – River is focused on providing quality off-track betting services. In our opinion, it is a great racebook with a decent selection of races and betting options, rivaling some of the top New York sportsbooks.
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0 Slots
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0 Table Games
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0 Poker Tables
How to Get to the Western OTB - River?
Getting to the Western OTB branch in Tonawanda is easy, as there are multiple transportation options. It is close to the Niagara Falls International Airport, and you can catch a bus or taxi. Additionally, it has a large parking space, so you can get there by car.
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City Bus Lines
There's a 2686 bus that goes from New York City to Buffalo five times in a week. Take this bus to Buffalo and locate North Division and Ellicott Street. From there, you'll enter a 25 or 61 bus to Niagara St & Main St. Once there, you can take a 25-minute walk to 550 River Road. -
Airport Shuttle
Western OTB - River does not offer an airport shuttle service to convey visitors from the airport to the wagering center and back. If you are flying to Buffalo, you can organize a private transportation service to carry you from the airport to the destination. -
Parking
Western OTB - River is a relatively small place compared to other big horse racing centers - and as such, its parking space is quite close to the entrance of the building. Because of this, you do not need to be further transported by a vehicle from the parking lot to the facility.
About Western OTB - River Hotel
This is one of the many branches of Western Regional Off-Track Betting. Established in 1974, it's a public benefit corporation with a board of directors appointed by the government. It provides off-track betting services to the western region of New York, including the cities of Buffalo and Rochester, along with 15 counties. The branch in Tonawanda was established in 1986, closed in 2004, and reopened in 2007.
Western OTB - River Amenities
Unfortunately, the Western OTB – River branch has no special amenities, as it focuses on off-track betting services. You can use vending machines to grab a snack or go to the indoor smoking room if you want to smoke. We hope they will be added in the future. Meanwhile, you can find a few restaurants close by.
| Accommodation | N/A Hotel Rooms and Suites |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | None, |
| Bars | None, |
| Address | 550 River Road, Tonawanda, NY 14120, USA |
|---|---|
| info@westernotb.com | |
| Phone | 585-343-3750 |
| Website | www.westernotb.com |
Our Opinion About Western OTB - River
In our opinion, Western OTB – River provides can match some of the top sportsbooks in Buffalo with its diverse betting options. They accommodate players of all skill levels and feature nationwide events, including some from Canada. While it doesn't have amenities, it has unique bets such as Pick 6. If Western OTB – River wishes to provide updates or additional details, they can always contact us.
FAQ
Before wrapping up our guide to Western OTB – River, we will answer all your pressing questions on the racebook. You can learn about the available betting options and how to find one that suits your skill level. We will also provide details on the legal gambling age for the state
What types of bets can you make at Western OTB - River?
After choosing your preferred event at Western OTB – River, you must carefully check the available bet types. If you're new to horse racing, you should try options like Show, Win, and Place. More complex wagers are Trifecta, Quinella, and Exacta. Choose wisely, based your skills and strategy.
What gaming options are available at Western OTB - River?
Unfortunately, there are no other gaming options at Western OTB – River, as it focuses on its racebook services. It is dedicated to off-track betting, so there are no sportsbook events or casino games. However, you can find a wide variety of horse races, including harness and handicap, along with some Canadian events.
What is the minimum age to visit Western OTB - River sportsbook?
As mentioned earlier when discussing the Western OTB - River details, the legal gambling age is 18 years old. That is the legal age for all of New York, so you can be certain Western OTB complies with state laws. Western Regional Off-Track Betting is a public benefit corporation that works directly with the government.
Disclaimer: In regards to any changes related to the information of sportsbooks, we won't be held responsible if such differences occur. We advise our readers to double-check the official site of the betting location for most accurate information.