Just humor me for a second.
 

Let's say that 5 or 10 years from now, a large number of racetracks finally land slot machines. Maybe Kentucky finally has them. Maybe Maryland. Maybe they are even finally a fixture at New York tracks, too. Maybe even a bunch of other places.

Then, lets pretend that it becomes the country-wide norm for there to be more money fueling purses from the slot revenue than from actual wagering on the races. In other words, the tracks are making SO MUCH money from the slots that the cash they bring in through the takeout on races adds very little to the purses, much less the bottom line of the track itself.

Now, let's also assume that 5 or 10 years from now, the issues that currently make racing fans and bettors frustrated (like wide-spread drug use in racing, ADW issues, among others) have still not been resolved. If "slots are where it's at", will the powers that be have any incentive to fix some of racings problems? In other words, is it possible that racing will become nothing more than a prerequisite for slots, and a drain on slot revenue?

I hope not.


I'm sure someone reading this knows more about this issue than I do. I look forward to reading your thoughts.

maybe i should have been born with a little more athleticism for my 6'9" 265 pound frame and played in the NBA instead of just college ball.....also lets assume your Aunt was born with balls then she'd be your uncle

I'm too excited about Street Sense on Sunday to worry about this now.

Unbelievably some clown on the internet acted like he would never race again.

Some dipsh*t said Street Sense wouldn't race again? I haven't heard anything that ridiculous since someone said Nobiz Like Shobiz would prove to be the best 3-year-old in this crop...

...Oh wait. Yes I have. Some other dude on here said Zanjero would win a Grade I someday.

Moron.

yeah yeah yeah.....i tried to make a bet with you aboth SS........have fun watching him get his pic taken Sunday!!!!!

Hey, I picked him to win the Preakness. I like him. I hope he wins.

"I look forward to reading your thoughts."





get ready.






"Let's say that 5 or 10 years from now, a large number of racetracks finally land slot machines. Maybe Kentucky finally has them. Maybe Maryland. Maybe they are even finally a fixture at New York tracks, too. Maybe even a bunch of other places.

Then, lets pretend that it becomes the country-wide norm for there to be more money fueling purses from the slot revenue than from actual wagering on the races. In other words, the tracks are making SO MUCH money from the slots that the cash they bring in through the takeout on races adds very little to the purses, much less the bottom line of the track itself.

Now, let's also assume that 5 or 10 years from now, the issues that currently make racing fans and bettors frustrated (like wide-spread drug use in racing, ADW issues, among others) have still not been resolved."





this is the internet, not npr. get to your point sooner. you're competing against porn for people with short attention spans.





"In other words, is it possible that racing will become nothing more than a prerequisite for slots, and a drain on slot revenue?"





could planes replace trains?





"I hope not."




oh.





"I'm sure someone reading this knows more about this issue than I do."





stop posting obvious straight lines.

I do not like them in a box.
I do not like them with a fox.
I do not like them in a house.
I do not like them with a mouse.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them anywhere.
I do not like green eggs and ham.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

Thoughts?

You would hope that it would clean it up, but I think the truth is your comment about racing being the prerequisite for slots may be right on the money. Look at the tracks that have slots and how well they are doing and other than purse $$$ what is being given back to the racing side of these tracks? Who knows maybe it will get better....

That's why I chose the title I used.

I think slots are eventually a dead end for horse racing. Slots will eventually make it to other venues. In fact I dont understand, from a state funding point of view, why states dont just run em right next to the lottery at every convenience store.

I think the Ellis experiment in increasing handle by lowering takeout significantly is very interesting.

And I think racing still has a chance as I have watched to dot races (green, blue, red) at sporting events totally enamor people. Shocking, but the competition and the, "hey I picked the right color dot", reaction is still huge. Time after time.

Use slots to lower takeout. Tracks that have slots CAN significantly lower takeout because they have another influx of cash. This is a great opportunity to attract more wagering on your racing product and increase churn, handle, etc. I hope all major and most minor jurisdictions get slot machines as long as they are smart and take advantage of the opportunity. I think this is a pretty simple solution for the industry, but this is a stupid industry.

But from a business standpoint, why hurt the bottom line by using slot revenue to HELP racing when the only reason to HAVE racing is to get slots in the first place? In other words, why cut into the profit?

I believe in the long run horse racing must stand on its own. Temporary fix. The track should just shut down and become a slot house.

Slot Machine Race Tracks = Welfare For Horsemen

Just wait until this place in Erie opens with their huge takeout and unplayable, meager wagering pools while siphoning decent horses from decent racetracks at a cost solely absorbed by bettors.

The race tracks make money. Inferior horses and their owners and trainers make money. What do the bettors get?

That would be making the incorrect assumption that the bottom line would be hurt. But your statement is exactly the way the tracks look at it. I believe racing revenue would increase with a lowered takeout...in the end, so slot revenue would not be hurt. My point is that the slot revenue would provide a cushion for the track when they first slash takeout. Getting the industry to even consider and understand this is the real problem.

Slots wont save racing it will kill it. Its a shame no one can see it but a select few. Just look at mountaineer who cut purses this season.

When the tracks start making so much money AND the drug issue heats up even more,it will get the attention of politicians who will say"why are we letting all this money get away from us" and they will jump in and tax the **** out of it even more than they do now and the windfall that racing receives will disappear forever.Politicians will ruin it all,as they are doing in New York.

I agree with Charismatic
 

lowering takeout will lead to more money in the Betting Pools.

this might not make much sense, but some value bettors who look for value in any forms of gambling, slots, poker,blackjack, sports betting,

might be attracted to it.

If takeout is 4%, like at Ellis, besides slots that pay 99 cents on the Dollar that is the best value of any form of gambling.

just a random thought.

I hope racing will be saved.