Casino Dole - Is it's time up?

[Denny]

https://www.paulickreport.com/news/t...orate-welfare/

Looks like people are finally taking notice of the abuse of taxpayer dollars.

The Racing Industry need take notice and figure how to do without all that free money.

Will the spigot get shut off in PA? Will it happen everywhere afterwards?

A regulator in WV recently tried to keep some Taxpayer money in-state by reducing the purse of the Charles Town classic. Doing the right thing imo.
The Governor shot it down!

Time to wake up, the free ride is going to come to an end soon, and it SHOULD.

[Fager Fan]

I agree. Racing needs to stand on its own feet as a legitimate business/sport or die. It's as simple as that. This isn't food we're talking about, where we may need to subsidize for the betterment of the good.

Knowing that the slots money was just going to be a temporary boom, what has racing done since to be ready for the day when the government gimmee is gone? Of course, nothing.

[Denny]

Besides the money going into the breeding programs, it pays executive salaries at racetracks along with fat juicy bonuses, retirement plans, and much more.

Purses are higher than ever - and we were told racing would improve with larger more competitive fields to bet on as a result.

Has that happened - NO. Fields are smaller and horses run LESS.

What always bugged me is that none of the money was directed to the people who keep the sport alive. THE HORSEPLAYER.

Why were TAKEOUTS never reduced by the tracks after getting all that extra money? In fact takeouts have increased since the casino dole!

I say shut the spigot and let the sport stand on it's own two (four) feet.

Why should taxpayers foot the bill?

[Why should money go to big outfits (Baffert, Brown Pletcher, etc) that raid the smaller tracks for million dollar purses all the time? Who's owners are wealthy, with horses bred elsewhere. .]

[Elkchester Road]

Originally Posted by Fager Fan

I agree. Racing needs to stand on its own feet as a legitimate business/sport or die. It's as simple as that. This isn't food we're talking about, where we may need to subsidize for the betterment of the good.

Knowing that the slots money was just going to be a temporary boom, what has racing done since to be ready for the day when the government gimmee is gone? Of course, nothing.

Completely agree. The complacency and arrogance of racetracks toward bettors is unparalleled. When horseplayers themselves think there is too much racing, that says it all.

[Tom]

Tracks should not no money from slots, period.
Not a penny.

If slots have extra money to dole out, let it be to the communities there originate in.

Why should that money go to only a segment of the public - let if go to everyone.

Screw racing.
Not a penny.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Fager Fan

I agree. Racing needs to stand on its own feet as a legitimate business/sport or die. It's as simple as that. This isn't food we're talking about, where we may need to subsidize for the betterment of the good.

Knowing that the slots money was just going to be a temporary boom, what has racing done since to be ready for the day when the government gimmee is gone? Of course, nothing.

As NYRA has proven, high purse so not prevent an inferior product. Look at the CRAP they offer during the winter.

[castaway01]

Originally Posted by Tom

Tracks should not no money from slots, period.
Not a penny.

If slots have extra money to dole out, let it be to the communities there originate in.

Why should that money go to only a segment of the public - let if go to everyone.

Screw racing.
Not a penny.

I don't agree with this in all cases because a lot of casinos/racinos were built with racetrack permission or on track property. In most cases the racing side was smart enough to negotiate compensation. That's smart business and I don't have a problem with it.

However, the great injustice was that none of this was ever used to lower takeout. The idea that no one ever thought to at least lower exotic takeout at racinos to reasonable levels showed how little anyone cares about the racing customer. It was a great opportunity squandered.

[therussmeister]

Originally Posted by castaway01

I don't agree with this in all cases because a lot of casinos/racinos were built with racetrack permission or on track property. In most cases the racing side was smart enough to negotiate compensation. That's smart business and I don't have a problem with it.

However, the great injustice was that none of this was ever used to lower takeout. The idea that no one ever thought to at least lower exotic takeout at racinos to reasonable levels showed how little anyone cares about the racing customer. It was a great opportunity squandered.

I believe Prairie Meadows lowered takeout.

[Denny]

The way it's done in some states is much better.

I have no problem with the way in Arkansas or Kentucky, and Virginia will be doing next.
(Instant Racing, Historical Racing)

I do have a problem with how it's done in NY and PA, among others.

If the spigot doesn't get turned off, it needs to have it's flow controlled better - and stay in-state for the people that provided it in the first place.

Some has to be used by tracks reducing takeout.

[ronsmac]

I agree that tracks and purses shouldn't benefit from casino money. It's insane that tracks like Charlestown have 1.2 million dollar races strictly because they have a casino.

[Denny]

It's the middle of April and they just ran a four-horse race at Aqueduct.

Every race seems to have two or more scratches.

How has the casino dole improved NY racing?

Where's all that taxpayer money going?

Into the pockets of a few breeders, owners, trainers, and select jockeys. Racetrack executives compensation packages.

Abusive treatment of the public at large at the hands of NYRA and NY regulators and representatives.

Cut the dole, lower the takeout, do something!

[AlsoEligible]

Originally Posted by Fager Fan

I agree. Racing needs to stand on its own feet as a legitimate business/sport or die. It's as simple as that. This isn't food we're talking about, where we may need to subsidize for the betterment of the good.

Knowing that the slots money was just going to be a temporary boom, what has racing done since to be ready for the day when the government gimmee is gone? Of course, nothing.

Agreed. I would rather find myself out of work and having to migrate to a new industry, than to stay in one that can only survive by leeching off of other revenue streams while refusing to fix its own problems.

You know we're going to try and pull the same stunt when sports betting sweeps the nation. The industry will lobby state legislatures to only allow sports betting at existing tracks and off-track facilities, fighting tooth and nail against online wagering, etc. And the arguments will be the same - higher purses, so better horses, bigger fields, higher handle, etc.

The only question is whether people will be smart enough to look at the billions of casino dollars already squandered, and not fall for the same empty promises again.