CRIST: Sets the NY facts straight

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

NYRA has more than a " chance " to remain in control of the franchise. They are a substantial favorite, in fact, to do so. However, I agree with everyone here that says this article should be in all the above mentioned papers, and it is my sincere hope that NYRA takes out full page ads, reprinting this article, in at least some of these publications.

There is, I think unfortunately, a gap between public perception about this franchise battle and its realities. In some ways I fault NYRA for this, though in other ways I can understand their thinking, as it seems obvious that they have chosen not to roll around in the dirt with the other bidders who are intentionally skewing the facts. What I would like to see them do is a better job of presenting their case to the public without getting into a battle with the other bidders.

I totally agree, it seems they are their own worst emeny...a lot of people out there just believe everything they hear from the pols and NYRA bashers out there.

[SniperSB23]

I think if Steve or Andy or someone sent a well written piece into Tim Wilkin at the Times Union that it would likely make the paper. It may not have wide circulation but it does have wide circulation in Albany which is where these decisions are being made. The story would also be available on their website for mass circulation.

[Linny]

While I agree that the 3 other entities may be looking to grab VLT money, don't forget that NYRA has taken loan after loan, bailouts and even bankruptsy all while waiting for the VLT MONEY. No matter what happens, the VLT money will be heavily regulated and subject to NYS Lottery regulation.

I do agree that VLT's don't create racing fans, but I agree also with horsemen who claim the no effort is made to do so by "racino operators. Offering sumptuous facilities for slot players while racing fans watch from squalor, offering free admission to slotters while race fans are charged to death with admissions, expensive food and beverage and high cost information does nothing to promote racing. Geez, the NY horsemen are begging to have the in house signal piped into gaming rooms and VLT operations oppose the idea!

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Linny

I do agree that VLT's don't create racing fans, but I agree also with horsemen who claim the no effort is made to do so by "racino operators. Offering sumptuous facilities for slot players while racing fans watch from squalor, offering free admission to slotters while race fans are charged to death with admissions, expensive food and beverage and high cost information does nothing to promote racing. Geez, the NY horsemen are begging to have the in house signal piped into gaming rooms and VLT operations oppose the idea!

The goal of " racinos " is to not let their patrons even know there is racing going on, of this there is no doubt, and it is seemingly true everywhere but probably nowhere worse than NY State. I am not saying you said this, but be absolutely clear that this is in NO way NYRA's fault, and strictly the fault of the STATE and, specifically, the NY State Lottery. This is another example of State regulation acting in a manner contrary to both racing's best interests as well as NYRA's.

Some of the blame for situations like this lay in the hands of your employer, an OTB in the State of NY, that has a proven track record of working in opposition to both the racing fan in NY State and NYRA. It is OTB that forced the recent increase in takeout, as NYRA was forced to allow this in order to implement their rebate program, and this was the compromise they had to make with NY State legislature due to interference from the NY State OTBs. This is the same OTB structure that not only allowed the Pick-6 scandal to occur but also encouraged the payment of the participants. But, of course, it is NYRA that is " scandal plagued ".

[Linny]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

The goal of " racinos " is to not let their patrons even know there is racing going on, of this there is no doubt, and it is seemingly true everywhere but probably nowhere worse than NY State. I am not saying you said this, but be absolutely clear that this is in NO way NYRA's fault, and strictly the fault of the STATE and, specifically, the NY State Lottery. This is another example of State regulation acting in a manner contrary to both racing's best interests as well as NYRA's.

Some of the blame for situations like this lay in the hands of your employer, an OTB in the State of NY, that has a proven track record of working in opposition to both the racing fan in NY State and NYRA. It is OTB that forced the recent increase in takeout, as NYRA was forced to allow this in order to implement their rebate program, and this was the compromise they had to make with NY State legislature due to interference from the NY State OTBs. This is the same OTB structure that not only allowed the Pick-6 scandal to occur but also encouraged the payment of the participants. But, of course, it is NYRA that is " scandal plagued ".

I do blame the way the VLT's are set up for the lack of promotion of RACING at RACETRACKS.

I cannot speak to issues of OTB's and their political decisions. I am so low on the employment food chain that it's fair to say that I have absolutely NOTHING to do with decision making.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Linny

I do blame the way the VLT's are set up for the lack of promotion of RACING at RACETRACKS.

The one and only time I walked through the Racino was the first August it was open. I was with a friend of mine who had a vested interest in seeing how a racetrack ran a casino. We walked through the Racino and the most striking thing, to me at least, was that it was extraordinarily difficult to figure out how to exit the slot parlor into the racetrack. He basically explained to me that it is the design of these places NOT to let you find the racetrack.

Pretty sad.