The state Gaming Commission has given preliminary approval to regulations that would open casinos to legal sports betting. Commission members drew a line, however, between casinos and racinos such as Batavia Downs Gaming that unfairly deprives the racinos from benefiting from expanded betting.

The distinction is as curious as it is unfair and should be erased.

The preliminary regulations allow sports betting at the four state casinos — del Lago Resort & Casino, Rivers Casino & Resort, Tioga Downs Casino Resort and Resorts World Catskills — as well as the Native American gaming operations. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has put anticipated revenues from these casinos into his proposed executive budget for 2019-20.