Michigan Racino Legislation

[Otis11]

A new bill and joint resolution on racino's was introduced to Lansing last week:

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billintroduced/House/htm/2008-HIB-6465.htm (http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billintroduced/House/htm/2008-HIB-6465.htm)

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/jointresolutionintroduced/House/htm/2008-HIJR-MMM.htm (http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/jointresolutionintroduced/House/htm/2008-HIJR-MMM.htm)

This has to be good news for the tracks. My State Representative is on the regulatory cmte so I'll be sending a letter and making a phone call this afternoon.

My only gripe is, nowhere in these documents do I see an amendment to the Internet wagering restrictions or creating OTBs. Maybe I missed it. It is just INSANE that I can not wager, via the Internet, on tracks within my home State!!! And what about all of the people who are too distant from a track to place a wager? Why not offer OTB's or restaurant/bar Keno type wagering?!?!?

:11:

[Mag]

Is that going to make it on the ballot for this Nov ?

How do the Detroit casino people feel about it?

This should have been done years ago, it would have saved DRC.

[michiken]

The old DRC Racecourse would have been a perfect place for a casino addition to the track. It was only one block from my house.

Now that I am laid off and my dad has past, I am going to truly consider moving to an ADW friendly state!

[Otis11]

Is that going to make it on the ballot for this Nov ?

How do the Detroit casino people feel about it?
Only found out about it from the MI HBPA website. Did searches on the Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, and MI Live. No news to be found there.

This should have been done years ago, it would have saved DRC.What would the options have been back then? Ladbroke keeps the place or Magna buys it? Were/are those the best situatons for a track? At least with Campbell at Pinnacle it seems as if racing and customer service comes first.

[Whitehos]

Otis,

Have you been back?

I get the VIP treatment I deserve. The help is friendly and the owner talks to everyone.

Food and drink prices are high except on Friday. But who cares, Terry and Fredrico will pay for them. I only wish Mary would stick around for the old Trinity.

Too bad no gamblers show up. A couple of hundred people make up the crowd.

Whitehos

[Otis11]

Have you been back?
I'm there most Saturdays. Try to make it on Friday's if I can sneak out of work and I'm not on baby duty. I'll be there tomorrow (Wednesday) doing some simulcast. Looking at Sunday for the NFL evening game as well.

The help is friendly and the owner talks to everyone.
You've got that right. The staff is fantastic! Haven't seen Mr. Campbell in a while. Want to ask him a few questions.

Food and drink prices are high except on Friday.
There are some decent ways around this. For starters, last Friday and Saturday they had $3 pints of Molson at the main bar. During the week there are some food specials as well. Also, they have some dinner deals now where you get a big rebate if you purchase a $100 voucher. Still, I don't mind the slightly higer food/drink prices since it's obvious those are probably paying the bills right now.

...Terry and Fredrico will pay for them. I only wish Mary would stick around for the old Trinity.
Mata has let me down a few times. Still trying to figure the track out. Saturday, the first two races (6F) were won by stalkers. 3d was taken by early speed.

Too bad no gamblers show up. A couple of hundred people make up the crowd.
Most Saturday's the place is very crowded. Agree though, not a lot of handle is being generated. I'm partly to blame, kind of, since I don't play every race when I'm there. Been kind of chalky lately. There was a hint of charging admission and parking next year. I really hope that doesn't happen. Haven't heard or seen any actual media advertising yet. Keep in mind, this season is just the, "soft opening", lets wait until everything is completed. I think the big test for handle this season will be on October 18, Sire Stakes day.