Suff
09-24-2005, 03:15 AM
Racetracks: All or nothing: Bet everything to win slots
By Scott Van Voorhis
Saturday, September 24, 2005 - Updated: 02:22 AM EST
http://business.bostonherald.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=104013
Struggling Massachusetts racetracks have a proposition they are daring Gov. Mitt Romney (http://news.bostonherald.com/search/?searchSite=recent&keyword=Mitt Romney) to refuse - give us slot machines or shut us down.
The tracks are betting everything - including their very survival - in a last desperate roll of the dice to win a green light for slots, the Herald has learned.
Track supporters are planning to push a controversial proposal to OK thousands of one-armed bandits at dog and horse tracks tucked into a related, but noncontroversial State House bill, according to a key lawmaker and activists on both sides of the debate
That bill, which would extend simulcasting rights that allow racetrack patrons to bet on races from around the country, must pass by year's end or the state's four racetracks will fold.
While simulcasting is likely to get a thumbs up on its own, attaching the slot machine issue makes it far from a sure bet, observers say.
``It's betting the house - literally,'' noted one gambling foe and State House observer. ``It's frightening.''
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Top British race caller on ‘holiday' at Suffolk
By PAUL DALEY, Sun Racing Writer
http://lowellsun.com/sports/ci_3055889
What does a British racetrack announcer do while on vacation? Why, he goes to the races.
At least that's what Mark Johnson, one of Britain's premier racecallers, does. For the third consecutive year, the 39-year-old Johnson is spending six days as a guest announcer at Suffolk Downs, calling two races each day. You can catch him next Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday at the East Boston oval and his distinctive style is worth the price of admission
In a bit of serendipity, Johnson was born in Skegness, very near to where the original Pilgrims began their journey to America. In fact, the nearest large town to Skegness is named Boston
By Scott Van Voorhis
Saturday, September 24, 2005 - Updated: 02:22 AM EST
http://business.bostonherald.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=104013
Struggling Massachusetts racetracks have a proposition they are daring Gov. Mitt Romney (http://news.bostonherald.com/search/?searchSite=recent&keyword=Mitt Romney) to refuse - give us slot machines or shut us down.
The tracks are betting everything - including their very survival - in a last desperate roll of the dice to win a green light for slots, the Herald has learned.
Track supporters are planning to push a controversial proposal to OK thousands of one-armed bandits at dog and horse tracks tucked into a related, but noncontroversial State House bill, according to a key lawmaker and activists on both sides of the debate
That bill, which would extend simulcasting rights that allow racetrack patrons to bet on races from around the country, must pass by year's end or the state's four racetracks will fold.
While simulcasting is likely to get a thumbs up on its own, attaching the slot machine issue makes it far from a sure bet, observers say.
``It's betting the house - literally,'' noted one gambling foe and State House observer. ``It's frightening.''
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Top British race caller on ‘holiday' at Suffolk
By PAUL DALEY, Sun Racing Writer
http://lowellsun.com/sports/ci_3055889
What does a British racetrack announcer do while on vacation? Why, he goes to the races.
At least that's what Mark Johnson, one of Britain's premier racecallers, does. For the third consecutive year, the 39-year-old Johnson is spending six days as a guest announcer at Suffolk Downs, calling two races each day. You can catch him next Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday at the East Boston oval and his distinctive style is worth the price of admission
In a bit of serendipity, Johnson was born in Skegness, very near to where the original Pilgrims began their journey to America. In fact, the nearest large town to Skegness is named Boston