A United Front for Arizona and All Horseplayers Against Arizona HB 2694

[TomC]

TomC, Arizona resident

I will not put 1 nickle through the Arizona betting windows until this is repealed. It just more money that TUP/YAV will now lose. And less tax for the state.

Another law that just passed: TEXT messaging while DRIVING is now illegal, as if we needed a law for this! The fine for this crime, which can KILL innocent people, (and innocent people have been killed already by dummies text messaging while driving) is a $200 fine!!! Oh, and the penalty for putting $50 to win on a horse through a legal internet ADW? 1 year in jail and $100,000 fine.

Yeah, these people will get my vote when election time comes around! Sure.

[highnote]

You should start writing letters to the editors of various AZ newspapers. That's an excellent point about how stupid this new anti-betting law is.

The fine for killing someone is less than the fine for placing a bet.

[NateBracey]

I have absolutely no way of wagering on the
tracks I play (Philly & MNR) short of driving
from N. Scottsdale to Turf Paradise in Phoenix.
Let me explain the logistics of actually trying to do this.
I must get up early, drive to TUP, get the late scratches
and place my bets on Philly. Now I have a choice.
Stay there until I can get late scratches at MNR and
place my MNR wagers OR go home, come back at 3:30
or so, get the late scratches and return home.
Sure I can place my MNR wagers early too, but I am sure
you guys are aware that late scratches can change or add
selections, SO....it's not really feasable.
Count me in on the boycott! NO SOUP FOR YOU - TUP!!!!

[BillW]

Protectionism is absolutely crazy. One more state to scratch off my list!

Bill - Tx.

[PaceAdvantage]

Not that I played much in Arizona anyway, but now it's an easy toss.

[alydar]

Originally Posted by betovernetcapper

ALB is in New Mexico and Boomer is not a member of the Arizona State Government

I beleive he was referring to Yavapai

[alydar]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

Not that I played much in Arizona anyway, but now it's an easy toss.

Agreed!!!

What with their high takeout and quality racing!!

Once again we see a struggling segment of the industry that dosen;t really get it.

[stuball]

Sorry about that comment about ALB --- don't know what made me think it
was in AZ (senior moment) still not a penny for AZ tracks (when I look them up).....LOL (sorry Boomer)

Stuball

[wes]

Arizona
Placed in the no bet file for me!!!

wes

[GMB@BP]

Originally Posted by Turntime

Count me in. Arizona took a big step backward with the passage of this bill. I also believe it may be unlawful based on the following:

1. Many of the ADW’s offer incentives to wager in the form of gifts or cash rebates. HB 2964 forces AZ residents to effectively pay a higher price for the same product.

2. The threat of being prosecuted as a felon creates a “Coercive Monopoly”. Class 6 felonies are usually reserved for serious and often violent crimes. This overly harsh penalty for wagering on a horse race can only be interpreted as a government sanctioned “coercive threat”, designed to eliminate any unwanted competition.

3. Forcing AZ residents to wager at brick and mortar facilities eliminates the technological benefits and advances that online wagering provides.

Horseplayers everywhere are fed up with the disregard shown to us by the racing community. We're fed up with the petty bickering and protectionist mentality. Although we love the game, we don't need horseracing to survive, horseracing needs us.

I urge the people responsible for the passage of this bill to reconsider their decision.

TH
Phoenix, AZ

solid post.....it definately seems like the punishment does not fit the "crime"....5 years in jail for making a wager on a horse race.

[highnote]

Originally Posted by GMB@BP

solid post.....it definately seems like the punishment does not fit the "crime"....5 years in jail for making a wager on a horse race.

Isn't there something in the U.S. Constitution or Bill of Rights about being protected from "cruel and unusual punishment"?

[GMB@BP]

Originally Posted by swetyejohn

Isn't there something in the U.S. Constitution or Bill of Rights about being protected from "cruel and unusual punishment"?

That was my feeling, and honestly its somthing to consider, of course you can only fight that after being convicted, no thanks.

[betovernetcapper]

Originally Posted by stuball

(senior moment)

There are a lot of seniors in Arizona and I don't mean to be ageist here but as you get older, moving around is harder. There have got to seniors that live to click on Bris or YouBET in the morning. Some guy works his entire life and finally
scraps enough money together to survive his remaining few years, and they threaten him with prison for making a $2 bet at home as opposed to their track.

If anyone knows anyone at AARP or the Senior's lobby in Arizona, please give them a call.

[dutchboy]

dns az trks

[Turntime]

You've got it right, GMB@BP. I have the feeling that it would be difficult to prosecute based on the "cruel and unusual punishment" angle, but who wants to be the guinea pig?