Horse Racing, Bingo, Lottery - Some Thoughts

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So earlier today I felt compelled to go up to our service counter and ask how much we had taken in on the lottery, strictly Mega Millions (up to $216 million) which will be drawn tonight. From the opening of the lottery, which occurs around 8am (not sure the exact time) till 3:30pm, our store had taken in just shy of $2,000 in Mega Millions tickets. Oddly enough, that number per the Front End Manager was down.

Yesterday, I passed 2 Bingo Halls. Both parking lots were full and people were parking in the streets, and we are talking about 12:30pm on a Monday. I have yet to drive by either of these two local Bingo Halls and not see their parking lots full, even in severe weather situations. They operate on Monday, Weds and Saturday at noon and 7pm.

So, just now I started to think. Why is it that these folks are willing to gamble blind on the bingo and the lottery, especially the lottery, when they hold no stake in the outcome. In other words, no thinking goes in to the lottery. No thinking goes into bingo. Its how the numbers roll. But yet, they will not be found at Beulah Park where they could learn the ropes, how to cap and stand a legit chance every time they rolled in to at least break even but maybe even turn a profit?

I think Horse Racing should advertise their product like this.

Grab your date and take her to the track. When is the last time you went out on a date and had more money then when you picked your date up?

What is really wrong with advertising the gambling aspect of a day at the races? After all, we are surrounded (at least in Ohio) by lottery advertising every way you turn and look. I think this would work over time as long as they make the venue; i.e. the track experience, one that folks will want to be a part of and not get turned away by the "regulars". You know, the bums etc..

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Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I agree and heard someone talking about this a few years ago. I can't remember who exactly. It wasn't really about teaching people to handicap because I don't know if you ever have tried, it can be painful. Their idea was to market the pic 3 and pic 4 and pic 6 like the daily numbers and lotto. Really what's the difference between the 2?

In the same token it could bring a new light to ESPN's telecast. After all, they are soooooooooooooooooo in love with poker still. Some serious handicapping breakdowns, a regular capping insight for the newbies etc..

[MisterB]

To much crap to bet on now a days. When racing was racing, you couldn't find a spot to stand at AQU. Now it's a ghost town

[IrishofNDMan]

we need to start a racetrack revival, and I'll be the King of the Lakes. (litte ole Great Lakes Downs). lol

Bingo, lottery, slots, its all the same....the person that is playing these games is not a person that is interested in horseracing. Not in any way, shape, or form. And you will not ever get them to a racetrack. To a racino, yes, where they can sit their fat fannies in front of a machine, and enjoying an all you can eat buffet every two hours, YES, all day and all night, 365 days days a year. They are in heaven.

The problem with these fannies and the racinos that welcome them, is that they are simply a quick fix, they are a prop for horseracing. Given time, no one will even notice, not only the barns on the backstretch, but the thoroughbreds that are crossing the finish line. Racino patrons don't go there. They don't look outdoors, they just look in front of them for three cherries across, and then down when the damn quarters start to fall. Cha-ching, Cha-ching.

Racinos are the bandaid for open heart surgery that horseracing is undergoing.

Slots, and other mindless games will never equate with the sport of horseracing, and certainly not, handicapping to pick a winner. Instant gratification is much more important than involving one's time and study in handicapping.

Slot patrons show up on Wheel Of Fortune. Horseplayers and racing fans show up on Jeopardy.

And that's probably all I need to say about this!