Churchill VS the World

[ponypro]

I have read some interesting posts here speculating That if Magna tracks are sold and get in the hands of someone other than Evans and Crapnet then that may spell certain doom for tracknet. One could only hope that happens because with Magna out of the picture it will be Churchill vs alot of pissed off players.

Churchill can have their own private TV show "HRTV" and their own CLOSED LOOP betting platform. YAWN!

And we will all have moved on

[Tom]

I can see it now....

Race 8. The Kentucky Derby.
For 3 year olds and upwards who have started for a claiming price of $3500 in the last 12 months, or Have never won an allowance race, or whatever the HELL we can scrap up from the backstretch. Mules allowed 3 lbs.

[Maji]

Tom,
I think your post maybe prophetic if the current attitude is not changed by the CDX operators.

[Dave Schwartz]

I am about to voice my opinion here. Please try to remember that shooting the messenger does not change reality.


The TrackNet Media world of today is the way it is because of centralized control by two track-owning entities.

If Magna leaves the racing business, then the control will be even more centralized.

IMHO, many PA members may wish that the world crumbles around CDI but the reality is that most companies fair better rather than worse after they obtain a monopoly position.

Ask yourself this... what percentage of all horse racing dollars are going to a TrackNet Media organization? In other words, what is their market share?

Do you really think that handle is going to go down? Why? Are you going to wager with some other entitiy? Or are you going to stop wagering altogether?


Boycotts send a message. They really do. But a boycott of a thousand players who average what? $2,000 in wagers per month? In the scheme of things, $2m a month is not enough to scare people with handles in the hundreds of millions.

Are we really prepared to wager only on a steady diet of Indiana Downs and a couple of other tracks of similar caliber forever? Are we really prepared to quit racing permanently? I think not.

Oh, maybe there are four PA-ers who will, but the great majority will stamp their feet and in 30 days (or 3 days?) will be back at their usual haunts.

Look at the OS software world. Why do you think Linux and the Mac have not overcome Windows? Certainly not because Windows is a better operating system. It is because Microsoft is in charge.


So, what do you (we) do if we don't like what is going on? You form a national organization. And you get ready to send in real money. Oh, but wait... every time someone suggests this the motives of the organization is questioned as being just a hustle. (And maybe they have been.)

My point... until this changes nothing else can change. And it better change fast because there is a point of no return. There was a quote on PA where one of the executives said (something like) "We're going to lose some of the old time customers but that just can't be helped."

That was them saying, "WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU DO."

So, you want to make change happen? Find someone to run a national organization. Build that organization into something substantial.

Maybe PaceAdvantage could be that organization. It is certainly a great place. And I don't think PA's motives are in question. It just isn't big enough (today) to have serious clout. Sure, they hear us but they don't have to take action. Build this to 100,000 members (from the current 4,349) and then we'll have clout.



Regards,
Dave Schwartz

[GameTheory]

We've seen that in the past that no one can agree about a national horseplayer organization. But how about something more along the lines of a legal fund -- an ACLU type organization. Then all it would take is for one guy to say, "Ok, I would like to hire some lawyers / PR people / lobbyists to take on such-and-such SPECIFIC problem with some SPECIFIC entity that is causing the problem. Anyone who wants to contribute to a fund to accomplish that ONE SPECIFIC GOAL please do so." And if anything is accomplished, the movement can grow from there, knocking down one domino at a time...

[ponypro]

Dave I Dont understand. If CDI is left with Arlington and Churchill, what kind of monopoly is that?

Also if you think 1000 online players generate 2m in handle a month . You are way way off. There are a few whales lurking even here. Ask Ian what he thinks 1000 guys could do

[Dave Schwartz]

If CDI is left with AP and CD:

1. What happen to the others
2. Who do you suppose will purchase the Magna tracks?

[ponypro]

I have no idea but from the board chatter maybe some casino interests who would DEMAND an open source signal because unlike CDI , Casino Execs understand the gambling industry

[dylbert]

If CDI is left with AP and CD:

1. What happen to the others
2. Who do you suppose will purchase the Magna tracks?I don't see Churchill folks divesting of FG and Crc.

FG is strapped to huge cash machine -- OTB parlors that allow video poker. These create great cash flow that fuels increased purses.

Crc looks to be "last man standing" in south Florida. GP appears headed for oblivion with its current ownership and management. Real estate venture seems its destiny. Hialeah ain't coming back. It was once regal place that has already been devalued by father time and mother nature.

None of these racetracks are true monopolies. Before lotteries and legalized gaming outside Nevada and Atlantic City, these tracks did have regulated monopoly similar to electric utility business. Today, racetrack industry is oligopoly. Few sellers to many buyers (aka bettors)... These operators must balance cost control, customer service and innovation. MEC has failed while Churchill has had limited success. Harrah's, Boyd's, and Mountaineer have demonstated moderate accomplishments.

Racinos may not spell salvation. However, they do offer glimmer of hope to well-operated facilities.

[Dave Schwartz]

I have no idea but from the board chatter maybe some casino interests who would DEMAND an open source signal because unlike CDI , Casino Execs understand the gambling industry

Casino interests demand open source signal?

Who has the power to do that?

The only casino organization that has any power is in Nevada and they are not having trouble getting signals. All this commotion is good for them.

Certainly there is no Indiian or Atlantic City casino that has such an impact to demand anything.


As for casino execs "understanding:" Perhaps you do not recall how many people here have complained that casinos treat handicappers just as poorly as the tracks do.

Listen, what I am saying here is that the horse player has no friends and no leverage. At least not until there is a single organization that can call for a boycott on a given day and drop the handle at a single track 10% or more. Something that hurts.



Regards,
Dave Schwartz

[witchdoctor]

At least not until there is a single organization that can call for a boycott on a given day and drop the handle at a single track 10% or more. Something that hurts.



Regards,
Dave Schwartz

Dave

You could do it. Just cut your bets in half. :D :D

[NoCal Boy]

I do not believe that Harrahs or Boyd would restrict their signals to anyone. History says their LA Downs and Delta Downs are open to all. Why would HET or BYD restrict their signals in any manner?

Gulfstream will not be closed. It will be sold to a casino operator in my opinion who could market it properly and perhaps lobby to get some tax relief.

Churchill has NO experience as a casino operator to take on what Gulfstream requires.

[betovernetcapper]

Are we really prepared to wager only on a steady diet of Indiana Downs and a couple of other tracks of similar caliber forever?

I don't mean this as a smart ass answer but yes-forever and when I die I want my ashes tossed on the dirt near the finish line at ARP.

[boomman]

I do not believe that Harrahs or Boyd would restrict their signals to anyone. History says their LA Downs and Delta Downs are open to all. Why would HET or BYD restrict their signals in any manner?

Gulfstream will not be closed. It will be sold to a casino operator in my opinion who could market it properly and perhaps lobby to get some tax relief.

Churchill has NO experience as a casino operator to take on what Gulfstream requires.

NoCal: Totally agree! Boyd and Harrah's have demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that they will NOT restrict access to their signals, and they are currently offering their signals to ADW's at very fair prices. When Magna starts selling off properties (and I think it will happen sooner rather than later) Churchill and their disdain for customers will be standing ALONE. Let's see 'em monopolize without Magna with 'em...I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING! When one monster is gone only one will remain, and that has to be a good thing!!:)

Boomer