The Big A is back.
Horse betting is up at Aqueduct following the opening of the new racino next door.
The total handle on races is up 6.6 last month, compared with January 2011, according to figures compiled by the New York Racing Association. That includes bets made off premises.
Wagering increased to $117,842,942 last month from $110,556,714 the prior period — or an increase of more than $7 million.
Most of that increase was from off-track betting. The total on-track handle was up 1 percent — to $23,428,941 last month compared to $23,190,785 in the prior period.
“We’re pleased with the increase in handle on and off the track,” said NYRA spokesman Dan Silver.
Silver said the opening of the Genting racino at Aqueduct was partly responsible for the boost in betting on horse racing.