Wojtaszek Appointed to OTB Board, Will Donate Salary to Two Niagara County Charitable Organizations

Republicans in the Niagara County Legislature finalized the return of former Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek on Tuesday, appointing him to represent the county on the OTB Board of Directors.

In a vote that largely split along party lines, 10 Republican legislators endorsed Wojtaszek’s appointment, while three Democrats and two Republicans opposed it. He replaces Elliott Winter, of North Tonawanda, who resigned last month.

Wojtaszek, who attended the meeting, addressed lawmakers directly before the vote.

“I had an outstanding career. I want to pay it forward and I want to look out for Niagara County,” he said.

He noted that during his leadership, OTB generated hundreds of thousands more in annual payments to Niagara County, and pledged to donate his annual board stipend - about $4,000 - to the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier and a North Tonawanda food pantry.

Supporters filled the chamber, including former OTB Board Chairman Richard Bianchi who called Wojtaszek’s appointment a “no-brainer.” Bianchi added, “He will be back at the table in a new role and everyone will benefit because of it.”

Other attendees said Wojtaszek’s return would “boost morale” among employees and strengthen the organization.

Niagara County is poised to benefit from his deep history with the agency. Wojtaszek first joined OTB in 2010 as general counsel, later becoming president and CEO in 2016. Over his tenure, WROTB experienced remarkable growth: coin-in climbed to nearly $1.2 billion by 2024 while net win reached almost $90 million, generating record revenues and nearly $10 million in annual surcharge and earnings distributions for its 17 member municipalities.

Beyond the numbers, Wojtaszek oversaw the modernization of Batavia Downs through expanding its hotel, food, and beverage offerings, enhancing customer service, and transforming it into a premier entertainment venue with concerts and special events.

His leadership helped balance fiscal discipline with customer-focused growth, ensuring the corporation remained financially strong through his departure in December 2024.

Winter, his predecessor on the board, has said Wojtaszek “knows that company inside and out” and has “the most institutional knowledge of Western Regional Off-Track Betting.”

That expertise now returns to the board at a time when decisions over surcharges, branch operations, and entertainment programming carry significant weight for local taxpayers. With his salary pledged to local nonprofits and commitment to strengthening the organization clear, Wojtaszek’s appointment signals a positive step forward for Niagara County’s representation on the OTB board.

Wojtaszek Appointed to OTB Board, Will Donate Salary to Two Niagara County Charitable Organizations