I was not looking to get into some grand debate on takeout last night until I read the article in the initial post. And then it struck me yet again. The player continues to not mean dick to this industry on a regular basis:
1. Travis and his lovely voice are far far away from the swamps of Jersey. He simply couldn't know that we have few rights if any in this lovely state.
2. Andy, on the other hand, is right across the bridge and surely can see our beautiful shoreline from his penthouse apartment on the river. So it hardens my heart to hear him say that any "serious player" gets a rebate. As if that settles it.
Here in NJ we have one option legally online and that is NJbets which was taken over by TVG. That's it. And Jms, you must be a comedian with your take on TVGs rewards, that whole 2 tenths of 1% is surely not going to cover the formula for my baby girl. Did I mention her name is Andie? This is because Trips and Traps made no sense for a girl. But I digress.
Oh yes, we also have the Big M Club! But please don't think of it like Satin Dolls in the Sopranos. If you bet 20k a month, these are the juicy numbers you have waiting for you in your account.
http://www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/...files/gold.pdf
But wait there's more! You know why? B/c you only get the rewards, which are dogsh.it, if you are on track or at 1 of 2 count them 2 simulcast facilities in this state. So please don't think you can have a life and or job and try and bet on track on a regular basis... Good stuff right?
So what to do...Well, I can break the law of course. Here are my options. I can set up an address in another state in order to bet with a better legal operator who won't **** me as bad as TVG. I've reached out to numerous members of the DT family and inquired about these juicy onshore rebate shops. All of them say Jersey is a disaster area. Oh ok....I could go offshore. If I do that I will be helping the game exactly 0 with each bet I make. I won't affect my odds, especially at smaller tracks, which is nice but I want to put a little scratch into Maggie's pocket as well you know. The paddock can be a dangerous place.....
I think Joe and Doug have summed it up quite nicely in other posts. The fact is there is an old guard typified by many of the aged posters on this website who want us youngens to STFU and be happy with whatever we get. They will play till they leave this earth b/c they love the game and think of it strictly as entertainment. I love this game as well. Except I will not bet it if I think I can't beat it. Incidentally I've stunk this year because of my own piss poor handicapping. All the rebates in the world wouldn't have helped me this year. But that isn't the point. I understand what value is and isn't. It's bad enough that we have to put up with questionable trainers and confirmed, though infrequent past posting, the last thing I want to hear is that takeout doesn't matter....The under 35 crowd in here will make a determination as to what this game will be or won't be in the future. They aren't looking to make a donation to the track. Either the parties that be listen, or they will rightfully find something else to do with their money....Here's hoping they listen.