Yes. And so what if Randall's honesty is negative.
And, unless you are in England, it is "privAtization," in England, it is "privAtiSation." Thank you for your support.

No, it's you who are missing the point. If government didn't have its hands so deep into racing's pockets, tracks probably wouldn't need VLTs to survive. The "current model" is broken because of the heavy "taxes" that government imposes on racing, unlike other gambling enterprises such as casinos. (That's why the "takeout" at those venues can be so much lower than at race tracks.) The reason NYRA has the highest handle in the country yet purses that are not commensurate with that handle is the huge "skim" going to government. Alex Waldrop spelled this out very well in testimony earlier this year to the NYS Senate Racing Committee.

That skim is specific to issues within NY state, that is not the same issue in NJ. OTB issues, that have nothing to do with NJ issues which is what this thread started out as. You are trying to paint with a broad brush. The government is part of the problem, to say it is the whole problem in racing is untrue.

Aren't VLT's a form of gambling? Why should tracks be prevented from exploring other avenues of gambling when the current landscape already allows that in competiting states? Isn't the gov't restricting the types of gambling allowed at track in NJ? So if they want to play favorites with private gambling businesses, why shouldn't the racetrack get paid if they arent allowed to expand their menu? The state shouldnt be in the racetrack business because most states cant run any business profitably. But that doesn't mean that the racetracks aren't still hamstrung by the states decisions.

Honesty isn't in question here. Randall has totally oversimplified the entire situation and used quotes by politicians in doing so. I dont know which is worse. Or if you are a product of the NY education system, worser.

They arent made out to be a problem because they are quite profitable and the state doesnt want to give them up.

........i need a $2 tri box and a blumpkin

Once again Chuck it is tiring to say the same thing over again. I was against the bailouts. I am against the state helping casinos, I am against the state helping the autos, I am against the state helping horse racing if it means losing millions of taxpayer dollars in the process. Why you continually change the subject is beyond me...

Explore away on VLTs. I'm at a loss for seeing how pulling a handle is helping boost the sport in any kind of long term way. I don't expect someone who works in the industry to turn down a handout.

Not in NJ I didn't....I can't speak for every jurisdiction. NJ racing is losing money and has been for many many years.

You simply refuse to understand the issue. Companies and industry doesnt operate in a vacuum, they pay taxes and employ people as well. The "subsidies" that you refer to in NJ are directly related to VLT's. That is pretty obvious to us 'insiders'.

What is "New Jersey racing"?

You aren't an insider. Your bread is buttered by the industry which in effect calls everything you would say on this into question.

Is this a real question? Monmouth and the Meadowlands. And yes our budget shortfall and is in the billions per year currently. Would you like to reduce the school lunch program or close Harness racing as a starting point.

Seriously? Are you really this ignorant?

Another excellent answer Chuck and yet another insult rather than a response. The thread is about NJ racing and our budgetary issues as a state.

If VLTs are so successful, why have horse racing at all? It is about where your gambling dollars are going to go. If you want to funnel VLT money into horse racing forever, I'm wondering where that business model ends. When VLTs are around every corner? When does the horse racing product on its own make money.