Gambling revenue in New York continues to soar as the state debates if they should legalize casinos.

Even though, sales of traditional lottery games — such as the multistate Powerball and Mega Millions — increased by 2 percent between 2010 and 2011; the largest increase in lottery revenue came from the state’s nine racetracks, which
continue to produce record numbers. Lottery results

With the addition of video lottery terminals in October at Aqueduct Race Track in Queens, the nine racetracks’ revenue jumped nearly 16 percent between 2010 and 2011.

Officials at the racetracks said they continue to see strong growth, in spite of the casinos in neighboring states.

“The market here just hasn’t matured yet,” said Timothy Rooney Jr., general counsel at Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders will seek a constitutional amendment to legalize casinos, although they haven’t said anything about allowing tracks to add table games or open casinos solely in specific resort areas, such as the Catskills.

“We’ve had growth every year since we opened,” said Mark Wolf, senior director of gaming and marketing at Batavia Downs, where revenue was up 5.5 percent last year.

Revenue was up 7.5 percent at Tioga Downs, in Nichols, and up 5.4 percent at Finger Lakes, in Ontario County.

Yonkers Raceway, the state’s largest facility, with 5,380 machines, increased its net win by 7.4 percent in 2011, up $43 million, state records showed. Lotteries

The Hamburg Casino at the Fairgrounds had the largest increase in revenue, up 18.5 percent, or $11 million, after a $25 million renovation to the facility in 2010. Revenue was up 7.7 percent at Saratoga and 6.1 percent at Monticello.

The tracks’ success comes as they are lobbying Cuomo and the state legislature to let them open full-scale casinos.

Also, the state Lottery plans to expand its online lottery subscriptions to Powerball and Sweet Millions; the state already has online subscriptions for Mega Millions and Lotto. The subscriptions allow players to automatically enroll in lottery games for an extended period.

A recent U.S. Justice Department ruling may also open the door to let the state expand its online gambling, such as Internet Quick Draw or poker.

Right now, tracks are barred from having table games under state law. New York has five full-scale casinos on Native American reservations, three owned by the Senecas in western New York, the Turning Stone casino owned by the Oneidas in central New York and one in northern New York.

At this point, even officials at the tracks said they would add amenities and jobs if the legislation were passed. Two separately elected legislatures would have to approve a constitutional amendment; then it would have to be approved by voters. The earliest that could come would be November 2013.

“It’s a job-creation and economic development bill,” said Jeff Gural, owner of Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs in central New York.

Now, it is only a matter of time for the state to decide.