Dick Powell, a life-long horse racing fan, has worked professionally in the business since 1988. His horse racing consultant business handles business and legislative issues. He is an acknowledged expert on domestic and international simulcasting, account wagering, player rewards and incentives, gaming at racetracks and fan education. In 2001, Powell led the effort to bring Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) to licensed New York racetracks while serving as spokesperson and chief strategist for the Coalition to Promote and Preserve Horse Racing and Breeding in New York. Former New York State Senator and then head of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Howard Nolan and Richard Bomze, President of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association both said that “without Powell there would be no VLTs in New York.” (Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) meeting, October 25, 2001). In 2004, Powell helped set up the first intercontinental simulcast of horse racing from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where players from the United States, the United Kingdom and South Africa were able to commingle bets with currencies changed on the fly. This has become the model for international simulcasting and is still being utilized today. As the Director of Marketing for Capital OTB in 1998, Powell set up unique fan education programs that focused on racing and handicapping information instead of merchandise giveaways resulting in increases in business for eight straight quarters. Powell holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the State University of New York – Binghamton and lives in Ballston Spa with his wife Kaaren.