Interesting Article

[mjdevita]

While I understand many people in this forum come from the betting side below is an interesting editorial I found.

I know it is from the harness side but it talks about the Kentucky Derby and the spectacular image it presents but how politicians interpret the Derby and how their interpretation affects ALL horse racing.


http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=5426&z=16

[NoDayJob]

As it is with ALL politicians, the only thing they care about is how much money are you willing to contribute to guarantee their re-election. Until the racing industry gets their act together and has strong lobbies at the state and federal level, it will be business as usual. The breeding industry in California is living proof. Senator Maddy RIP.

NDJ

[mjdevita]

Originally posted by NoDayJob
As it is with ALL politicians, the only thing they care about is how much money are you willing to contribute to guarantee their re-election. Until the racing industry gets their act together and has strong lobbies at the state and federal level, it will be business as usual. The breeding industry in California is living proof. Senator Maddy RIP.

NDJ

Hey NoDay....

I agree 100%. Even the states where the horsemen are enjoying large purses because of slot machines are not secure in my mind.

Someday some politician will see that large pool of money going to horse racing as a waste...and they will work to change the laws to move some or all of that money to something they see as more imporant.

Yes, Politicial Action Committee money along with strong lobbyists will help but along with that you must make them understand what horse racing is all about both on and off the track. Those involved with racing must help put a face on it....not only the horsemen, but the tote worker, office workers, etc as well.

[OTM Al]

Agreed. Just waiting for that shoe to drop when someone says, hey, these horse races are taking too big a bite out of our slot revenues. I'm betting on Delware to be the first T-bred to go if that happens, though may see a few harness go first

[mjdevita]

Originally posted by OTM Al
Agreed. Just waiting for that shoe to drop when someone says, hey, these horse races are taking too big a bite out of our slot revenues. I'm betting on Delware to be the first T-bred to go if that happens, though may see a few harness go first

Hey Al,

I think you may be right..It appeared like it was too late in the coming for some upstate NY tracks...Do you think the VLT's in downstate NY will be successful and help NY Racing?

I live less than a 1/2 hour from Monticello...and the Racino is not doing the numbers they thought it would and who the heck is going to go there when there is 2 foot of snow on the ground!

I think NY would be one of the first states to pull the plug on this money in time because the revenue can always help with their huge budget

[OTM Al]

I think using VLTs to help racing is about the most misguided thing in the sport right now, and that's saying alot! First, from a marketing standpoint, they do nothing to further interest in racing. People who want to play such things never even have to look at a monitor showing a race let alone a live horse. They are in no way connected to racing and can easily stand on their own without racing. This is a huge threat for the harness tracks that have them because frankly there are very few harness tracks that can stand on their own these days. The Meadowlands is the only one that comes to mind to me (I don't normally play trotters) and I could be wrong about that.
Second, from an economic standpoint, the money that can be spent on gambling is limited. New VLT setups are going to progressively bring in less and less because they are entering a more saturated and competitive market. The first VLT casino made a lot of money because it was the only player in town, but more and more just keep cutting the same sized pie into smaller pieces and eventually everyone is going to start to go hungry. I think Pennsylvania is not going to get near the boom it thinks it will. And remember, states all have alternate sources of legal gambling too, like lotto and scratchoff. How they going to feel if profits there start suffering?
VLTs seem like a quick way to make a fast buck, but in the end I think they are going to be damaging to racing.

[mjdevita]

Al,

I can agree with much of your posting...I do feel that if horse racing in general is using the slots as a security blanket they are misguided.

They must learn to promote their own product. They must insure that bettors feel they have a fair chance....the preception is not as bad in t-breds but it does exist. I think the industry besides getting political also needs to retool to sell the jocks and trainers as the stars instead of a Smarty Jones. The horses just don't stay on the track long enough and plus who was the last horse to give a great interview.

I will point out though in West Virgina that when the racing went dark the in September because of track repairs, slot machine take was down over 33%.

When live racing is going on, people losing a lot of money on slots will get up and if the track is easily accessible (it is not in all cases) they will go watch a race or two and place a few bets.

Now, what is horse racing doing to introduce these fans and keep them. Sure management may see the horse racing as a way to cash in on the slot revenue....so it is up to the horsemen and umbrella associations to come up with a plan to welcome these people as friends ....The other thing is time between races is appreciated by the handicapper but what about the new fan...got to find some why to entertain them.

One thing is for sure there are many things that need to be done and somebody in the power positions better start doing them before it is lights out!