It's starting - Slots Funding Looking to Be Cut

[DeanT]

http://standardbredcanada.ca/notices/7-13-09/pa-house-threatens-to-cut-racing-fund.html

The Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association has issued an alert urging its members to contact their state representatives immediately due to reported Republican caucus discussions about cutting or eliminating the state’s racing fund.

“If the racing fund is cut or eliminated altogether, it will create disastrous long-term results for dubious short-term benefits,” said Earl Beal Jr., president of the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association. “It would cause Pennsylvania to immediately become non-competitive with neighboring states, driving investment elsewhere, and leading to the collapse of Pennsylvania racing, its infrastructure and related businesses.”

[ddog]

DT


WHAT MUST happen, will HAPPEN!


It's a given. a fact of life.

Gvts will take everything not tied down and the horse boys , to depend on this as a free ride are going to be left holding an empty bag.

There will be none left or very little within 3-4 years.
May not matter much as the "easy money" from the slots,etc. is going to take a big hit in the next several years.

Food may come first for most people , anyway.


The SHWHTF as they say, in spades.

[trying2win]

Hello Pennsylania harness horsemen!....How about using some common sense?
Don't look to informed bettors for sympathy about your alleged plight and worries about slot machine funding. Instead, I suggest you take another look at the outrageous takeout rates on your 3-horse-and- higher gimmicks, and lobby to get them lowered. Either lobby your racetrack, state government or whoever, to get these takeout rates lowered drastically, then more revenue will flow to you.

Remember Pennysylvania harness horsemen...the universal law is 'GIVE AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE', and not 'TAKE AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE', which I suspect many of you believe.

T2W

[BillW]

It's T - minus 29 days (FS Pittsburgh has a countdown clock prominently displayed on screen) till the opening of the standalone (sans race track) casino in Pittsburgh. There's one scheduled for the Philly area too, not sure of its status. The Pa. politicians are trend setters in figuring out how to get the voters to allow them to keep from giving "their" money to the horsemen.

[Cangamble]

http://standardbredcanada.ca/notices/7-13-09/pa-house-threatens-to-cut-racing-fund.html
I guess they have no choice but to raise takeouts :rolleyes:

[takeout]

:lol:

[Tom]

It's T - minus 29 days (FS Pittsburgh has a countdown clock prominently displayed on screen) till the opening of the standalone (sans race track) casino in Pittsburgh. There's one scheduled for the Philly area too, not sure of its status. The Pa. politicians are trend setters in figuring out how to get the voters to allow them to keep from giving "their" money to the horsemen.I said way back when they first started putting slots at tracks - it is only a matter of time before they figure out they don't need the track. Tracks are leeches off of the slot money and a huge expencse. Who wouldn't dump the tracks if they could? I sure as hell would. Makes no sense to prop up racing at the expense of slots.

[BillW]

I said way back when they first started putting slots at tracks - it is only a matter of time before they figure out they don't need the track. Tracks are leeches off of the slot money and a huge expencse. Who wouldn't dump the tracks if they could? I sure as hell would. Makes no sense to prop up racing at the expense of slots.

It reminds me of the good ole days of front operations - let's build a race track with a casino in the back room, maybe no one will notice! :lol:

[kenwoodallpromos]

I guess they have no choice but to raise takeouts :rolleyes:
After they conned horsemen into putting in VLT's, got what horseplayers they could to play slots, lured track gamblers to other venues, a state-take- all proposition, raise takeout, close for lack of businesses. IMHO it is still a contest to get the gambling dollar and use track grounds for development.

[takeout]

WV did the same thing when they wanted money for workmen’s comp. They just took it. Not that I think a lot of the slot dough is going to the right places anyway, but that’s a different discussion.

It’s mentioned at the end of this one:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/51678/pa-breeders-horsemen-warn-of-raid-of-fund/print