Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

HoosierTrotter — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:29:29 GMT

Horseracing's great in Indiana. Kentucky Legislature keep up the good work. We love your money.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

redsnapper — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:57:29 GMT

Sorry, my prior message should have said three (3) swing votes instead of six (6). Never too good at math.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

redsnapper — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:54:52 GMT

It is one thing to vote against a legislative proposal or bill for a rational, pragmatic reason where there is factual support for the opposition. None of that exists here. Those voting against the VLTs are obviously driven by groundless emotion and irrational behavior. It is a sad, sad day for Kentucky and for its horse racing industry to recognize that the future of this tradition, culture and tens of thousands of jobs can be put in the hands of six (swing vote) individuals. I live in Indiana and I have been a regular at Hoosier Park since it opened and I have seen first hand the "before and after". I doubt that anyone casting a vote can attest to having similar facts. I can state without the slightest hesitation that the HP facility and the patrons have improved significantly after getting slot machines as compared to the "before". Better restaurants, more dining options,a cleaner facility, more women, more elderly, more fun, special entertainment (the Beach Boys are coming), etc. Too bad the six swing voters didn't have the benefit of this real-world experience before trashing the future of Kentucky racing. I am also a horse owner in partnership with a Kentucky breeder. I have been to tracks all over the country and cannot tell any difference between slots and no-slots except for the hundreds of millions that flow to that state and to its racing industry. As much fun as Kentucky is, the purses are better elsewhere and elsewhere is where we must go. Indiana used to be the outcast of the Midwest with its antiquated "blue laws" and backwards rules and regulations. Welcome Kentucky, you can now take over the top spot.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

Katsan — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:40:22 GMT

From my understanding Rocker, its the legistlators in Kentucky that are going to try a tax bailout.

The tracks want REVENUE generating VLT's, which will PAY tax to the STATE, not take it away. Not everyone can go to Vegas and guess what? If you like LIVE racing, there is none.

Addctive personalities are just that. They will be addicted to one thing or another, whether that's gambling, overeating, smoking, drinking whatever. I think what the VLT's attract 90% of the time is a casual fan, looking for something fun to do on a weekend without driving 9-17 hours or paying for an expensive airline ticket.

BUT, those in KY can go to Indiana for the gambling experience whether it's once a week, once a month or whatever, that's lost revenue for KY.

Not sure if any of you live in these states, but I think if people don't LIVE in a state that is directly affected by the VLT, the gaming of any kind, they really shouldn't speak on the subject.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

thetalady4 — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:49:24 GMT

Charles Borders represents me...allof my friends will donate to his opponent...it was close last time...slots may not please everyone but until a better idea...why not...jobs...tourism...please send questionaires to OTBS and tracks....we love the sport and there are some great ideas from the two dollar players

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

Wilson M — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:45:18 GMT

We in New Mexico faced a similar situation a number of years ago; however, the NM legislature did the right thing. Indian gaming had moved into the state on a large scale and the race tracks were in a totally non-competitive position. Most tracks were on the verge of closing and thousands of employees were about to lose their jobs. The anti slot people used the old tired slogans that slots will bring in an undesirable element and of course they had to drag out a few people who lost everything gambling. They failed to mention that the Indian Tribes had 1000's of slots as well as table games all within 5 to 10 miles from the track. The NM legislature approved 600 slot machines be allowed at each race track and they were limited to @ 12 hours per day to operate. No table games etc. were allowed. Racing is now going strong in NM and the state is raking in income from the slots. Mine that Bird is proof positive that slots do work. Sunland Park is one of the tracks that was dying a slow death prior to the slots.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

Katsan — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:28:56 GMT

Slots HAVE saved New Mexico racing, no doubt about it. We run here and have for years. We could see it slipping away. 2 tracks closed and several were on the verge. Now, two of the tracks that closed, campaigned for the one spot to reopen. The one that didn't get the one open spot is trying again.

For a time it seemed like people were bringing horses out of their back yard to run and the quality of stock was really bad, equal to the bad purses. THAT is when we started losing our patrons and fanbase. It's taken years to start to build that fan base back up. We now can provide an 'experience' for people. Not just the horses, which doesn't seem to attract people with a storybook feel like it did when we were a different type of population.

With all kinds of vacation experiences out there, we have to offer more than one thing. So VLT's and more hype on the things to do while you're in town to visit the track is what seems to be working for us.

Maybe the fact that people like to gamble here helps. We have oodles of Indian Casino's as well as at every track, year round. People develop their favorites and return over and over. Have heard many comments like "why go to Vegas? the casinos here are as nice as theirs. or, I can gamble and watch live racing here, go to a casino nearby for table gaming, it's what I like to do so this works perfectly."

We have a state supported counseling service for problem gambling.

One tribe fought gambling for years, then realized that their mortality rate, education rate and quality of services and life all compared unfavorably to the tribes WITH gambling so they jumped on board.

A lot of our gambling is accounted for by tourist, either passing through on route 66 or with our state as their destination.

It can work. With the right management in place, marketing and actually using the proceeds to enhance purses.

(We also have lottery, scratch ticket lottery, Bingo and our Casino's have table games)

On the tax thing? We paid tax through the nose before, still do except now no food tax or tax on prescription drugs.

But we pay 6.75-7.2% sales tax.

Gross Receipts Tax on Dr visits.

Gasoline Tax: 18.0 cents/gallon

Diesel Fuel Tax: 19.0 cents/gallon

Cigarette Tax: 91 cents/pack of 20

State income tax, property tax, conservancy tax, livestock tax. You name it we pay it.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

RockerB — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:07:33 GMT

You want action? Go to Vegas. Why has the racing industry forgotten that Horseracing is a sport not a casino game? How many VLT's do you see at Yankee Stadium or Soldier's Field or Rupp Arena? I have nothing against sports betting. What I do object to are mindless, rigged machines that require absolutely no intelligence.

It is racing management that are most responsible for the state that racing is in and like the banks, auto manufacturers and insurance companies, they are looking for the taxpayer to bail them out. The entire world is in deflation and mismanaged businesses are going under. It's just is a harsh reality. There are too many racetracks and too many horses and I believe a contraction will, in the long run, create better racing. US racing needs to look at the European model, which (by the way)is thriving. We need a central authority, universal rules and no drugs of any kind, but what we don't need is a marketing campaign that promotes adrenaline junkies who call horses by number and have no sense of tradition and history.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

edzepplin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:39:34 GMT

There is very little logic in politics and even less altruism by our policy makers. In their world, the most important issue is the next election.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

MichaelM. — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:07:33 GMT

One of the resaons WAL-MART is so successful is they have a store almost everywhere.

How much money is leaving the state of KY going to IL,IN casinos or online ?

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

Shawn P — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:59:52 GMT

All of you talking about marketing this to younger people, improving the product and making people WANT to come to the track?

How OLD are YOU?

(Or aren't horse crazy and 'love' anything to do with horses.)

I'm under 25 and I can tell you what draws 90% of my friends to the track. Action. Without it you get what you are seeing right now.

Why do you think the video game generation loves computers, IPhones (they sold a million of the things last weekend when the new ones came out) and gadgets of all kinds? (People standing in line for HOURS for XBox's and WII's weren't little kids or their parents as much as it was 20 somethings). It's all about excitement and continuous action.

Like I said before, very few of my friends will sit there for 30 minutes between racing. But if that time frame isn't there, how do you get the track ready for the next race, get all the bets in and for the true racing fan study the horses and the form? The new automated ticket seller machines help in some places but most don't cash your tickets.

Why did CD have such a big Fri Nite crowd, Cheap BOOZE, a unique situation, bands and constant action.

It's not a very admirable quality in some people's minds, but that's a fact, we're action junkies.

Now if you guys think 'long term' is 50 years, well no it hasn't been proven that VLT's help.

If you're speaking of 10-15 years?

Look no further than NM as Chip Wooley said, "it saved NM horse racing". Who knows if it will continue for years? What we do know is without 'something', especially when the surrounding states are going with it, then we're doomed in the shortrun, there will be no LONG TERM.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

WMT — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:27:43 GMT

This state is run by a bunch of moral hypocrites. I do not see the difference between gambling at the slot machine or playing the lottery. And where has the assumption come from that only poor people play slots? You can buy a lottery ticket on every street corner but you'd have to go to a track to play slots. And the people that go to the track for slots may just become a horse fan, and that would help racing. This silliness applies to alcohol sales as well. Having dry counties is not "saving" anyone from themselves. They just drive to where they can buy it. Think of the taxes they are missing out on that could probably solve the budget deficit. Idiots!

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

Richard R — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:41:34 GMT

Note to MrsC:

I live in Tennessee. We have the highest sales tax (9.75% including local add-ons) which includes food, in the country. Only drugs and medicine are exempt. And, I'm told that our liquor tax is among the highest too. Whenever I go to Georgia, I buy wine for $8.99 bottle that I pay $11.99 bottle in Tennessee.

The only saving grace is that we have no state income tax.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

Soldier Course — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:26:08 GMT

s lee:

You have listed a number of areas where reform is needed in the racing industry. But you are kidding yourself if you think that the members of the Kentucky legislature are motivated by reforms. They couldn't care less. They're politicians. They're motivated by votes, period. If all of your reform goals were achieved next week, it wouldn't make a bit of difference to these people.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

Somethingroyal — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:08:57 GMT

I think the industry needs to improve their product. Slot machines have nothing to do about the horse and everything about fattening an already fat wallet. Improve the product and the fans will come. I grew up watching the horses from the 70's race and I can tell you people who had never set foot on a track. Knew who Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Ruffian, Spectacular Bid, and Forego were. Has today's industry leaders not learned anything from history? You have to understand history to understand where you're going and slot machines is not the answer. It's about the horse!!!!!

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

weekendstorm — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:05:38 GMT

Have we not learned anything over time? Morality CAN NOT be legislated!

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

rowner — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:44:53 GMT

Thanks Shamfan for recognizing the other states such as Illinois and Kansas and what tax increases did to them. As a resident of Kansas I was only 20min from the Woodlands and enjoyed going out there on the weekends for horse racing/dog racing/simulcast. I am by no means rich but I could go out there with $30 to $50 and have fun all day where as a dinner and a movie would cost me the same or more depending on where your having dinner, for maybe 3/4 hrs. Oh, But If I Choose to GAMBLE My Morality Is At Stake. I am so tired of this, it will hurt the poor thing. If states want to protect the poor from something thats harmful why don't they look at all those pay day loan companies. They do more damage than people going to casinos and playing slots. Why should it matter how I SPEND MY MONEY!!!

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

racemares — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:22:02 GMT

Maybe the sad truth is Horse racing is over, as a sport, as an industry.

Kids today have no idea what it's like to gallop your pony across a field, urging her on for more speed, wind in your eyes, the rhythm and sound of the legs hitting the ground, the feel of her back, muscles stretching for more. Sit in a stall in the early morninh, listening to your horse breath, hear her munch hay.. wait 11 months for that totally exciting moment of new life.

Nope kids of today live in their rooms playing x box.. It's a hard truth to face, but it could be over, completely over..

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

Barry Irwin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:08:19 GMT

Rather than wasting any further time trying to get slots, racetracks should focus on making their product more appealing to those people that support the game in the stands and at the windows. If the product is good enough, the game will be fine. If it isn't then perhaps it doesn't deserve to survive. Racing can thrive when properly promoted. Look at Royal Ascot, Saratoga and Keeneland, and Churchill Downs during Derby week.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

tcc — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:42:58 GMT

Let the people decide, put it out there and let the people vote on it.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

rooster — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:43:54 GMT

Ive been in the t/b industry for 30 years (breeder owner trainer )KENTUCKY horsemen and woman are very very tough individuals.They will get the slots at the tracks .As for the political reps who voted against it ,Forest gump said it best STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

Rowner — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:41:30 GMT

Maggie, your having pipe dreams if you think thats what will save racing. To think that the vlt's pray on the poor is is just stupid. Why worry about it, people should have the right to spend their money how they choose and they are just going to go to your neighboring states to spend their money. Wouldn't you rather have that money pumped back into the state to create revenue and jobs.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

Elaine K — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:32:55 GMT

Political power mongering under

the hypocrisy of religious self-

righteousness and irrelevant banter.

These are the people that are ruling the country. Knowledge of

the situation is either non-existent or flagrantly ignored.

They cater on what plays to their

own self interest. Michigan is

experiencing the same incredulous

(outward stupidity) while the real

issue is simply power and greed.

Despite the facts they are continually trying to destroy the

Thoroughbred industry. e.g."cancel

all the througbred dates to balance

the budget by taking away the ORC JOBS."

Is there anyone HOME?????

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

Sharonr/Wisconsin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:14:44 GMT

Kentucky, help yourself!! Don't let your signature industry and number one crop slide down the drain. And stop trying to save people from themselves. Stop thumping and take a look around neighboring states whose race tracks are thriving with the addition of VLTs. We're considering retiring in Western Kentucky. When we get at that point,I hope the current small-minded politicians will have been replaced with savvy, open-minded ones.

re: Expanded Gaming at Kentucky Racetracks

Freetex — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:14:30 GMT

Look, gaming is what got Mine That Bird to the Kentucky Derby.

Its all that's left to secure the future of horse racing, anywhere, except Dubai.