Are the days of Slot fueled racing numbered?

[RaceTrackDaddy]

Living so close to the Meadows and knowing the history of Wheeling Downs I have to say that the demise of racing fueled by slot revenue may be numbered. Wheeling Downs and Mountaineer have both been ahead of the curve with respect to other gaming feeding the purses of the racing at their venues.

A bill was introduced recently in the West Va legislature that just may bring an end to racing as we now know it. If this does come to pass, how long will those in Harrisburg keep giving money to their race tracks seeing how the slot bill was in response to the gaming out of state and the legislatures attempt to keep the commonwealth competitive with surrounding states.

Check out the story at http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/at-la...nary-tale.aspx

and view the introduced bill at http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_St...stype=RS&i=547

I hope this bill gets defeated as it will the precursor to losing racing throughout my area; and it is sure to spread to other jurisdictions.

[badcompany]

Of course, they're numbered. Why would the casino owners want to continue supporting the horse racing segment that isn't holding up its end?

[Lose The Juice]

The days of harness racing of any provenance whatever are numbered, slots or no.

[badcompany]

Originally Posted by Lose The Juice

The days of harness racing of any provenance whatever are numbered, slots or no.

Yeah, at this point, anyone who is a fan of harness racing, would be wise to treat it as recreation. I spend about a month a year in Saratoga, and the harness track is something to do at night to pass the hours. Moreover, the NYSS season can still provide some good action.

It's been many years since I played the game year 'round.

[Lose The Juice]

If Gural doesn't get his casino, it will go dark at the Meads before long. Illinois and Michigan are hanging by a thread. Pocono and Chester are alive solely due to government mandate; the racing is terrible.

Ontario seems strongest, but they can't get the juicers under control. Sue Marie Gangell won at an amazing rate last year, but got popped a few weeks back, now fighting suspension. Corey Johnson, down. Victor Puddy, down. WEG is becoming Pocono north. How long can people be epxected to put up with that?

[badcompany]

Originally Posted by Lose The Juice

If Gural doesn't get his casino, it will go dark at the Meads before long. Illinois and Michigan are hanging by a thread. Pocono and Chester are alive solely due to government mandate; the racing is terrible.

Ontario seems strongest, but they can't get the juicers under control. Sue Marie Gangell won at an amazing rate last year, but got popped a few weeks back, now fighting suspension. Corey Johnson, down. Victor Puddy, down. WEG is becoming Pocono north. How long can people be epxected to put up with that?

I don't think he will he get it. If a casino is greenlighted in Northern NJ, currently a longshot, there will be several proposals. Surely, one or more will be in a better location than the Meadowlands where there is nothing going on once you walk out of the venue.

[Lose The Juice]

I don't think so either. Gural, whom I happen to like despite his politics, is a big Dem; the administration there is Republican.

[badcompany]

Originally Posted by Lose The Juice

I don't think so either. Gural, whom I happen to like despite his politics, is a big Dem; the administration there is Republican.

I don't even know if it's a political party issue.

If a casino is allowed in Northern NJ, my guess is that the license will be given to an Atlantic City interest, which otherwise would be thrown under the bus.

[Lose The Juice]

New Jersey is not high on the list of goo-goo states, to put it mildly. Everything there is political.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by badcompany

I don't think he will he get it. If a casino is greenlighted in Northern NJ, currently a longshot, there will be several proposals. Surely, one or more will be in a better location than the Meadowlands where there is nothing going on once you walk out of the venue.

It's interesting that you say "nothing going on"...
I must ask...what else is there?
People go to a casino to gamble. They can find restaurants and bars inside the casino building.
So why would there be a need to go outside the casino for anything except find their car and head home?
In AC for example, people park in parking garages as on street parking can be downright dangerous.
I read Jersey City is an option for a casino....Ok, fine. Unless there is ample parking, those who travel by car will go to the new casino( once its built) near Monticello or continue to go to Foxwoods/Mohigan Sun....I state this because is it difficult to get people who normally use their cars to switch to mass transit.

[lamboguy]

Originally Posted by badcompany

I don't even know if it's a political party issue.

If a casino is allowed in Northern NJ, my guess is that the license will be given to an Atlantic City interest, which otherwise would be thrown under the bus.

i am hearing that Paul Fireman has the inside track to develop the whole deal in Jersey City. for those that don't know who he is, he was the former CEO of Reebok 20 years ago. he is a pretty sharp kid too, that's not a kid anymore!

[badcompany]

Originally Posted by thespaah

It's interesting that you say "nothing going on"...
I must ask...what else is there?
People go to a casino to gamble. They can find restaurants and bars inside the casino building.
So why would there be a need to go outside the casino for anything except find their car and head home?
In AC for example, people park in parking garages as on street parking can be downright dangerous.
I read Jersey City is an option for a casino....Ok, fine. Unless there is ample parking, those who travel by car will go to the new casino( once its built) near Monticello or continue to go to Foxwoods/Mohigan Sun....I state this because is it difficult to get people who normally use their cars to switch to mass transit.

If you want to make it a tourist destination you need to have other things to do. If they build a casino at the BigM, tourists will go there to gamble, then go to NYC for dining and entertainment.