Race Dates Lost

[dilanesp]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

But history suggests that gambling is immune to the ills of the economic downturns. Our game supposedly retained its business even during the Great Depression.

Our game was the only legal form of gsmbling then, and state legislatures had budget shortfalls and expanded it to raise money.

That doesn't mean we are forevermore recession proof.

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by Parkview_Pirate

Not much competition for horse racing back then, except the local numbers games. Drinking, drug use and other costly "bad" habits will always be with us.

I wouldn't say gambling is going extinct, but it'll become less popular in the years ahead. Scrambling to get the basics of food, shelter and clothing is already a stark reality for many - though of course, the average person on this forum is well ahead of the pack, and may not realize that.

I am a lot more optimistic about the future of gambling in general, than I am about horseracing in particular. As I type this, I am sitting right between the poker room and the sportsbook at the Venetian in Las Vegas. The entire gambling establishment is hopping with excited action, except for the racebook section...where a morgue would be considered noisy by comparison.

[Parkview_Pirate]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

I am a lot more optimistic about the future of gambling in general, than I am about horseracing in particular. As I type this, I am sitting right between the poker room and the sportsbook at the Venetian in Las Vegas. The entire gambling establishment is hopping with excited action, except for the racebook section...where a morgue would be considered noisy by comparison.

Dog and horse racing are the canaries in the gambling mine. Taking a stroll through most casinos' slot areas is like going down to the Social Security Administration to sign up for benefits. The younger generations won't have that money to piss away, based on how many are living with their parents or grandparents.

There are now six or so major casinos on I-5 between Portland and Seattle, including a new one in Ridgefield, with similar spots off the freeways in Oregon. No need to go to Vegas when you can stay in the rainy PNW, smoke weed, and play the slots. I've stopped in a few, looking for a racebook, and am always amazed at how young I feel (in my mid 50s).

The Venetian is a nice place - stayed there a few times. The "virtual Venice" without the stench of the canals. Vegas got built on cheap (subsidized) air fares, and back in the 1980s when I first went there it was super cheap to stay and eat. Not any longer, and each time I read through an issue of Gambling Times and find revenue numbers, they don't seem very impressive.

I predict the last "boom" for gambling to be the online casino games, along with legalized sports betting as the Federal and state governments nudge the mob aside to get a piece of the action. That boom will come at the cost of gambling pursuits already in place, and it'll be downhill from there.

Horse racing will end up like the South American tracks or the back-road quarterhorse races in Louisiana, with just a handful of tracks operating better than that....

[Cholly]

Originally Posted by Parkview_Pirate

Dog and horse racing are the canaries in the gambling mine...

I predict the last "boom" for gambling to be the online casino games, along with legalized sports betting as the Federal and state governments nudge the mob aside to get a piece of the action. That boom will come at the cost of gambling pursuits already in place, and it'll be downhill from there.

hate to say it, but the Pirate is probably on the money here.

[ultracapper]

In any business venture, contraction can only be a means to an ends. Ultimately, all business ventures must show growth to be sustainable. So while contraction may be a viable strategy for the present state of affairs, after contraction is completed, growth must follow, or death of the business venture is all but assured.

Contraction is always a scary step in any business environment. When contraction is completed, the real work of building a healthy industry/company then must begin. If that task is not taken on, death is only a matter of time.

[Quesmark]

Ritvo said he wants to increase the dates at Santa Anita for many reasons. He notes any business thrives by hiring good people, but they have to be able to work year round. He said he hopes to take back dates from Los Alamitos because the Santa Anita brand has more cache with gamblers.
From:
https://www.gamingtoday.com/industry..._Let_s_hope_so

This is a big problem with losing racing dates,as many employees can't make a living at the track as they could when plants were open 5,or 6 days a week.When some people have to work 2,3,or more gigs to get by they're less loyal to anyplace in particular,and if they can find full time,or worthwhile employment somewhere else are less likely to stay long term.
A racino actually solves some of this issue as employees can cross over between the 2 sides of the building depending on the conditions,Aqueduct/Resorts world as an example.

[ultracapper]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

But history suggests that gambling is immune to the ills of the economic downturns. Our game supposedly retained its business even during the Great Depression.

It exploded during the GD.

Contraction is never a good thing. If the economy, or a business, or a sport's league, begins contracting, that's bad. Why anybody thinks horse racing would be different confuses me. If horse racing is to get healthy, the marketing of, and prettying up of the product must be addressed. Growth is the sign of a healthy industry. Off the top of my head, I can only think of a couple of contraction plans that ever worked out. The reason contraction looks attractive is the issue that must be resolved.

[dilanesp]

Originally Posted by ultracapper

It exploded during the GD.

Contraction is never a good thing. If the economy, or a business, or a sport's league, begins contracting, that's bad. Why anybody thinks horse racing would be different confuses me. If horse racing is to get healthy, the marketing of, and prettying up of the product must be addressed. Growth is the sign of a healthy industry. Off the top of my head, I can only think of a couple of contraction plans that ever worked out. The reason contraction looks attractive is the issue that must be resolved.

The thing is, not contracting when you need to works even less well than contracting.