NYC OTB employees given Pink Slip
 

Is this really the end of NYC OTB? Better empty out those phone accounts.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008...kers_told.html

I really hope it is. . . because i'm not f$%^&* paying to save them with an increased take-out.

NYRA is going to be the big loser in this.

“What is the defensible position?’’ Lieber said at the Capitol June 3. “What is the public policy that is served by taking taxpayer dollars and supporting a public bookie and taking it away from police officers, teachers, and others? I don’t think there’s a defensible position to do this, and the mayor won’t do it. This is not a bluff.”

When asked about NYRA’s claims that the $12-million loss will affect its bid to get out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Lieber said: “What do you think the impact on NYRA will be if they get no distributions?’’

Yet another person who has a firm grasp on the situation.

The chasm between perception and reality in this situation is fascinating.

Who should we believe? The bloodhorse article with words from the actual deputy mayor or someone connected to NYRA? Seems pretty obvious, the new plan is going to hurt NYRA the most.

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/45539.htm

NYCOTB is backing the outlines of a plan by Gov. David Paterson to change the way in which its revenue is distributed to various entities, including the state, the New York Racing Association, and a Thoroughbred breeding fund. For NYRA, it is estimated the change will cost it $12 million in lost OTB revenue.

But a top aide to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is warning NYRA and the others have a lot more at stake if NYCOTB closes as the mayor is planning to do in two weeks.

“Everybody’s going to have to compromise, and I think people are very focused on what’s going on in somebody else’s pocket as opposed to what’s in theirs,’’ said Robert Lieber, the deputy mayor for economic development and rebuilding.

It's a lot of things but if you step away from it, and forget your personal feelings for a minute, it's actually sort of fascinating.

I really don't want to get into it. To anyone with half a brain, and even an iota of understanding of the situation, things are pretty obvious.

I don't believe that it is even legal for Bloomberg to shut down OTB.

Guess he disagrees. And he is the mayor. Seems he can do whatever he wants considering 99% of the public thinks the government should not be involved with gambling when the operation is losing money.

Tax dollars should not go to subsidize a failed government bookie operation.

You sound like a politician. What are you running for?

Vice-Cigar

If you had any idea what you were talking about, you'd realize that NYC is not losing money with NYC OTB.

It's such a funny conversation.

It's honestly like someone who wants to begin a debate with the basic premise that the sun is purple. It's completely senseless to even talk to the person.

Why are you so elitist on these boards? Not everyone has your cognitive gifts. You're so damn quick to snap and correct people with your snooty sarcasm. Also you're very quick to dismiss racing, and life, for that matter outside of the Empire State.

It's threads like this that make me long for the return of BetterThanHonour.

Why? We have Justin Dew so hilariously carrying the torch, remember?

Maybe you can talk when you contribute to the board, instead of being a respond sniper....

Maybe because he is IN THE KNOW. He has no obligation to say ANYTHING at all, but he doesn't want the common people sounding like idiots when they talk to other people about things that are said on this board.

And for the last line, that is laughable.

It's one thing for people outside of racing to fail to understand the situation, as mainstream media has done a terrible job of reporting about this correctly, but it would be nice if people with an interest in the game took the time to at least try to understand it.

It's frustrating because it's possible that horseplayers will unnecessarily bear the burden of an eminently solvable situation. Hopefully a fair and agreeable compromise will be made.

Would that be the one from the "Land of the Rising (Purple) Sun"?

I'm guessing you are not responsible for bringing the macaroni salad to the Mensa picnic. Do you think these bets will disappear? How about a vast majority goes to NYRA Rewards or ADWs that contribute more to NYRA than NYCOTB.