Just humor me for a second.

[Left Bank]

Originally Posted by justindew

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.

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.

[unassailable08]

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.

[Danzig]

how badly does racing need saving when you constantly read headlines about new-record handles at different tracks? attendance is down, but handle is up--so just how bad off is horse racing? does the track make money on $2 per person attendance, or takeout from otb's and on line betting? i'm betting it's the latter.


i'm not so sure that slots are the answer, if everyone has them, then once again the playing field is level. then it comes down to who runs their business the best. and that's generally the case anyway.

[Split Rock]

I believe racing is dead. Period. There is absolutely NO WAY in my lifetime that racing will ever run a clean game. In fact, I think it will progressively get worse. Just look at other sports like Cycling, Baseball and even Auto Racing. The competition is just too fierce and, like most venues in America, morals are low. Combine those two and you have a breeding ground for cheating and corruption. It WILL NOT CHANGE. Anyone who thinks it will is wishing. In fact, Horse Racing is the very last sport that has a chance to combat drugs. Why? 1) No governing body. 2) Penalties are merely a slap and the cost of doing business. 3) No incentive from the decision makers to take a stand against drugs. 4) Science is a step ahead.

Regarding slots....I agree with another poster. Slots are welfare for the tracks/horsemen. If the tracks can't compete without slots, eventually, they won't be able to compete with them. As soon as slots are in other gambling locations, racing is done. Great point about Mnr. I cannot believe they had to cut purses. I would think the slot money is a windfall and should carry that track for years. Greed!