Breach City - by Dan Liebman

re: Breach City - by Dan Liebman

Anthony Kelzenberg — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 04:52:16 GMT

I was planning to play $20,000 in quick-pick superfecta wagers over the next 6 months, but after reading this article and consulting with Chris Harn I'll have to go into a different direction.

re: Breach City - by Dan Liebman

Caleb B — Sat, 31 May 2008 22:02:50 GMT

It seems to me that the Tote COMPANIES are not to blame for the integrity issues you've high-lighted, just one Tote Company, Scientific Games. The pick-six scandal, AutoTote/Scientific Games, the past-posting incident at Fair Grounds, Scientific Games. Now the known software bug, defrauding the wagering public of any legitimate chance of purchasing winning wagers, Scientific Games. Could it be that Scientific Games lack of focus or concern for the pari-mutuel (Horse-racing specifically) industry allows for problem after problem in their racing division?

At this point it leaves one to wonder how any Racing Executive who gives or renews a contract with Scientific Games isn't fired on the spot!!

re: Breach City - by Dan Liebman

Michael E.Moneta — Thu, 29 May 2008 04:13:27 GMT

This is just another example of why horse racing lags behind in attracting and keeping bettors.Every state is only concerned about their own track without any regard for what is good for the game let alone the players.The bettors are the last people thought of and that is why we leave and find other avenues for our wagering.The state of IL even uses 2 different tote systems and you cannot cross cash from tote to the other.Screw the bettor was always the old way and it has not changed only the bettors are leaving and not coming back.

re: Breach City - by Dan Liebman

Marty Miller — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:17:00 GMT

Having worked in the Tote business for almost 50 years I resent the implication that the tote companies are at fault for the current lack of integrity in the racing industry. The lack of integrity comes from the race tracks themselves and their never ending cost cutting. The three tote companies are barely surviving financially because tracks play them against each other for lower rates. For lower rates certain things have to be eliminated or cut back. The tote companies give the tracks what they want. So when you start talking about integrity at the track look for the real reasons.

Anytime you are dealing with money a certain bad element arises but there are to many tote employees in this country who work long hours for little money to try and make sure everything is on the up and up. If you really want to know what's happening in the tote business talk to people in the trenches doing all they can....