Yeah, this was all a big deal about nothing. Only the "approved" ADW's were allowed to spread their areas. These are mostly nasty versions of the real ADW product, such as TVG.
The problem is the horsemen's assoc. taking an above average cut of any ADW bet in PA. Same reason takeout is so high.
What state or jusisdiction has a director of a horsemen's association on the Racing Commission Board ? That's absurd. He is adjudicating on members of his organization. And never abstains. He sits in judgement on the people who pay his large salary.
I encourage any PA horseplayers to go to their meetings. They are open to the public and you can ask to be heard. Dr. Brian Langois goes to every one. They must hate him and frequently show their disdain for him expressing his concerns. They try to give him the bum's rush and treat him like a nucance. He's mostly concerned with horse health and safety, which is great, but we need other areas represented.
You couldn't make up what goes on in PA. Most people think the Commonwealth is behind the high takeout, but from what I'v found out, they only take a maximum of 2.5% on any bet. The 30% take out trifectas are a 27.5% split between the horsemen and track. The horsemen at Philly have the same barns from the 1970's. Are they any better ? No, but if you rock the boat, you lose stalls and get positives and fines and day.
They deny, but I was in the business for 20 years. The PA Racinos want racing to go away. It's a boil on their ass. However, the law says no racing, no casino. So they want it to die and then be able at some point to be able to de-couple. Say "Racing is a subsidized, out of date thing and it's costing taxpayers millions" Meanwhile they invest nothing, promote nothing and discourage everything.
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