STUDY CALLS VIDEO GAMBLING A SURE BET.(MAIN)

Byline: JAMES M. ODATO Capitol bureau

New York's horse racing industry would bring $1.5 billion a year into the state -- including $700 million for education -- if gambling machines were allowed to operate nearly year-round at eight harness and thoroughbred tracks, according to a study released Tuesday.

Representatives of the tracks, including Saratoga Equine Sports Center, said the video gaming machines are needed to revive a struggling industry that is losing its ability to attract and retain top horses and riders to states where tracks operate the devices.

``The answer is clearly the problem,'' said Dick Powell, a Ballston Spa horse racing consultant used by Vernon Downs, a harness facility that is one of the eight tracks.

He and other …