[Needing the Wire]

Just had a ribbon cutting yesterday at the former Colonial Downs OTB parlor that is re-opening in Vinton, Va. market. This was a shuttered Colonial Downs facility and is now under the new ownership group. Contractors hard at work on the remodel with a late March/early April '19 opening.

They are putting in 150 "Historical Racing Machines" in addition to simulcasting at this location. Does anyone have experiences with these? Being told that the machines do REAL historical races with the names changed but the results the same? If I see "Secretary" racing against "Shim" in a 12 furlong race at Belmont...I'm betting everything I own.

Curious if the horseplayers at the Vinton location will be taken care of with tellers, betting machines, WiFi, etc. over the long haul. Colonial Downs OTB was great to the players when it opened 10+ years ago, but it went downhill after about 3 or 4 years of operation. Can't envision it lasting too long if this facility becomes a glorified video gaming parlor with little concern for the folks betting the simulcast product. Fingers will be crossed.

The same group opened a place on the Va.-N.C. border in April 2018 that is 100% simulcast and it is very nice with plenty of new tote machines and tellers. Good food and drink, too. Has been busy on each of my visits.

I hope the OTB's are a success throughout the state and the live racing comes back strong in 2019.

Happy Holidays