Here is some of the problem as I see it. This really from OP and it could be different elsewhere but no other place that I have seen.
I think gambling is gambling so we must look at tracks from a casino goers eyes.
1. You pay to get in. Here, you can write your rep and get a season pass but that helps few. Also as soon as the live meet is over that goes away. Slot players free- horse players pay. That causes some ill feelings
2. Parking- not only do you have to pay for parking but then they have only one shuttle to pick you up. Compare that to casinos.
3. Do the visuals between the average track and the average casino. Where would your wife or girlfriend rather be.
4. No proverbial buffet here.
5. the track owners have not, imo, decided exactly who they are competing with. Ol Charlie worked for years to get his beloved slots. He didn't even try for a sports book that in the south would keep people here continually.
6. There is no consensus between the horseman and the players. The two groups getting hammered in my opinion. Someone has divide and conguer going very well right now.
BTW, anyone thinks the tracks only get money from the players is very wrong. Even less of it comes from players no a days. Instead of worrying over which group is getting the better deal it would be much better if all the groups combined to get a little more from the owners and the commisions., or whatere group it is that sets the takeouts and fees (horsemen have tons also).
I also think there needs to be a licensing board for racetrack bets. Right now they are only really responsible to the ones who pay them.
