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Albany Law School is set to launch the nation’s first concentration in equine, racing and gaming law in response to growing demand for qualified attorneys in the area.

The concentration will be available for students starting in September. The development of four casinos in New York by next year was the main driver for the new offering.

“Throughout New York and beyond, there is currently and will be an unmet need for attorneys trained in the legal and regulatory infrastructure of the equine, racing and gaming industries,” said Penelope Andrews, president and dean of Albany Law School. “Currently no U.S. law school offers a comprehensive program in law relating to these industries.”

The new law concentration will be offered through The Saratoga Institute for Equine, Racing and Gaming Law within the school’s Government Law Center. The concentration, which includes racing regulations and gaming industry law, will be added to a current business concentration.

The business concentration at Albany Law provides courses in administrative, insurance, employment and tax law. The expanded focus in racing and gaming law will also include educational conferences, events and seminars at the school.

“Specialized coursework will allow students to master complex regulatory law and administrative hearing concepts, while internships and field placements will provide hands-on opportunities for skills practice,” said Ray Brescia, director of the Government Law Center. “Students graduating from the program will be poised to become industry leaders in the private sector and government agencies.”

According to a release from the school, Albany Law is seeking opportunities for long-term funding sources to sustain the new concentration in the future. Albany Law School was founded in 1851 and is the oldest law school in the state.