The Mysterious case of disappearing racetrack executives

[rwwupl]

http://startelegramsports.typepad.com/west_points/2010/06/the-mysterious-case-of-the-disappearing-racetrack-executives.html



"The truth is, these are not very bright guys." -- Deep Throat.

Excerpt:

Yes, these corporations that seem to have taken control of the sport are eager to maximize the profitability of their most profitable enterprises, and so they put the slots guy in charge. But while imposing their shortsightedness on the sport, these corporations threaten to ruin it and ultimately ruin themselves. The slots don't need emphasis to be profitable; they don't need a shepherd. Just plug them in. It's racing that can't be neglected. That's why the modern racino needs a brilliant manager with racing expertise, not some gaming guy. And yet these gaming and casino guys continue to assume control of racetracks and racinos. You might as well put a sausage salesman in charge.





"Sausage Salesman"?...I just call them "Beancounters"...rwwupl

[craigbraddick]

Alas it seems many racetracks and gaming centers have neither a racing guy or a guy who can run a decent gaming center.

But they are chockful of corporate management types who couldnt explain the rules of most of the games and could not calculate the cost of a P4.

Craig.

[BlueShoe]

If casino guys are going to run racing, then surely our sport is doomed. Why? Because the casino guys cannot run the casinos they came from, for one thing, plus the woeful lack of knowledge about racing. In earlier posts on previous threads have made critical comments about the way hotel/casinos are operated and managed today compared to the pre corporation era. Those older members that can recall the old Las Vegas, for example, will understand what I mean. Today, beancounters with MBA's are in charge, and woe for racing if they move over to the tracks. Not long ago, sarcastically suggested kicking out the beancounters and bringing back "The Boys" to run things would install men that actually knew how to run a gambling joint. The problem with that is that the old mobsters are all either dead or deep into retirement, all gone now. That leaves us stuck with the beancounters.

[jamey1977]

If casino guys are going to run racing, then surely our sport is doomed. Why? Because the casino guys cannot run the casinos they came from, for one thing, plus the woeful lack of knowledge about racing. In earlier posts on previous threads have made critical comments about the way hotel/casinos are operated and managed today compared to the pre corporation era. Those older members that can recall the old Las Vegas, for example, will understand what I mean. Today, beancounters with MBA's are in charge, and woe for racing if they move over to the tracks. Not long ago, sarcastically suggested kicking out the beancounters and bringing back "The Boys" to run things would install men that actually knew how to run a gambling joint. The problem with that is that the old mobsters are all either dead or deep into retirement, all gone now. That leaves us stuck with the beancounters. These idiots don't know anything about Horse Racing. We should have someone like Jim Quinn or Andy Beyer running a racetrack and racino. I mean we need some people who know that horse racing can be beaten and people can be successful at it. No one can beat the slots, they are rigged for the house to win in the long run. How can the public be so damn stupid ! We are dealing with a bunch of frickin idiots !. People in all of their dim-wit intelligence have to learn that their only chance at profit is through horseplaying. Jim Quinn knows this. He is profitable as a horseplayer. I fear the same thing D.Wayne Lucas fears. These stupid slot people will just consider horse racing a nuisance, it just gets in the way of our profit margins, let's just get rid of it. So in 50 years, there will just be no horse racing. Only in England and Japan and Australia. This is terrible. These slot guys don't know a damn thing. And no one can profit with slots, there is no way these Bullcrap- Jail-Bait slots should take center stage over horse-racing. No way.

[Greyfox]

These idiots don't know anything about Horse Racing. We should have someone like Jim Quinn or Andy Beyer running a racetrack and racino. .

:lol: C'mon. These guys are writers. Sure they know how to handicap and bet. Their books are fascinating reads.
But businessmen?? Management ability?? The result could be even more disastrous than what we have now. :lol:

[Bruddah]

Casino Exec's in charge of any worthwhile business enterprise are usually humongous failures. Why? Because their business experience has been as figure heads of "Cash Cow" operations. They have never had to be innovative in finding, funding or producing profits to the bottom line. The Casino business is unlike any "real" business or Industry.

Bottom line, Casino Exec's are "Stylers and Profilers". The looking good glad hand type, all style and very little substance. If they were any good, they would be sought out by Fortune 500 companies and that just doesn't happen.