Yet another track that is dead to me

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by JJP

Funny how 20 years ago, the horsemen were (logically so) opposed to slots. Then they did a 180, and wanted to hook their ship to slots, completely ignoring the longer term problems. Slots are nothing but a band aid solution.

What will be interesting? Eventually we will see expanded sports betting. And when THAT happens, it will be a sledge hammer to the industry.

The longer terms problems would have been short term problems w/o them.

How do you think racing would fare if they built a casinos right down the road from the tracks and we got nothing but competition? While the tracks seem a bit like traitors now that they have morphed into gaming companies a whole lot of them would have surely went under especially when the economy went south. We may not like the direction that many have gone in but we cant race without them either.

I think that it is naive to believe that racing could have figured out some sort effective national strategy that would have stemmed the tide against casino's. Sports betting isnt that close especially if the Supreme Court declines to hear NJ's case. Not to mention that it is already easy to set up an online sports wagering account currently. Anyone who wants to make a wager on a sporting event in this country shouldnt have any problem doing so.

While there is no doubt that the money hasnt exactly been well spent, it is difficult to make a case that w/o slots revenue we would be in a better place.