Ohio Tracks Left Behind

[ALostTexan]

For what it's worth, I sincerely care about racing in Ohio. I worked my ass of last year promoting the "Learn and Earn" Amendment for the slot machines.

As I posted last night, the tracks have made a move this weekend that will at least challenge the legislature in the "Games of Skill", which are really just slot machines. Not sure how long they will last, but I hope they get a little money coming in from them.

I am originally from Texas, as my handle indicates, but I am a Buckeye at heart now, as I really feel that Ohio is my home now, and I really hope that the racing industry can pull through and at least have a level playing field against the surrounding states...

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by ALostTexan

For what it's worth, I sincerely care about racing in Ohio. I worked my ass of last year promoting the "Learn and Earn" Amendment for the slot machines.

As I posted last night, the tracks have made a move this weekend that will at least challenge the legislature in the "Games of Skill", which are really just slot machines. Not sure how long they will last, but I hope they get a little money coming in from them.

I am originally from Texas, as my handle indicates, but I am a Buckeye at heart now, as I really feel that Ohio is my home now, and I really hope that the racing industry can pull through and at least have a level playing field against the surrounding states...

I also just relocated to Ohio, it seems ironic as I spoke out for years about slots in Pa...finally Pa has seen the light and now I'm once again in the land of the brain-dead! I respect the views of others, especially when the are religious but really now...why do some folks think they can dictate the lives of others? Without slots, small tracks simply cannot survive in today's environment...we are talking jobs, loss of income for those who have worked hard all their lives in a sport they love...why??? Look at Charles Town, a track that returned from the dead with the addition of slots, local towns have benefited with the influx of millions of dollars, one built a new town hall, others added police officers, bought new fire equipment...everyone benefits except the zealots who think gambling is the work of some mythological "devil" (except when it's bingo night at the church apparently...or when the good folks leave their house of worship and stop at the neighborhood convenience store for a handful of "scratch-offs" or that enticing Power Ball ticket). Ohio need slots! I've been to River Downs several times, a nice little track with friendly folks and a close-up view of racing...thoroughbred racing as it should be! If this track closes down as it surely will without slots...shame on the folks who feel their own moral "superiority" takes preference over the rights (and livelihood) of others!

[The Bid]

Did you move to Lakewood

[ALostTexan]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

I also just relocated to Ohio, it seems ironic as I spoke out for years about slots in Pa...finally Pa has seen the light and now I'm once again in the land of the brain-dead! I respect the views of others, especially when the are religious but really now...why do some folks think they can dictate the lives of others? Without slots, small tracks simply cannot survive in today's environment...we are talking jobs, loss of income for those who have worked hard all their lives in a sport they love...why??? Look at Charles Town, a track that returned from the dead with the addition of slots, local towns have benefited with the influx of millions of dollars, one built a new town hall, others added police officers, bought new fire equipment...everyone benefits except the zealots who think gambling is the work of some mythological "devil" (except when it's bingo night at the church apparently...or when the good folks leave their house of worship and stop at the neighborhood convenience store for a handful of "scratch-offs" or that enticing Power Ball ticket). Ohio need slots! I've been to River Downs several times, a nice little track with friendly folks and a close-up view of racing...thoroughbred racing as it should be! If this track closes down as it surely will without slots...shame on the folks who feel their own moral "superiority" takes preference over the rights (and livelihood) of others!

Unfortunately there was so much political BS in last year's amendment. It came down to the fact that Cleveland fought very hard for the slots, and when Columbus and Cincy didn't do much, Cleveland got a stipulation for 2 freestanding casinos, which just pissed everyone in Columbus and Cincy, so they cut off their noses to spite their faces.

The Amendment last year would have given an economic boost to each of the 88 counties of Ohio, plus would have had Constitutionally-protected money for college scholarships. Doesn't really matter now, though, as it was defeated, and the tracks are slowly dying off in Ohio...

I still dont understand why people are so against having gambling where it is already legal.

$2 on a horse race or $1 in a one armed bandit, is there really that much difference?
The tracks already have a license to allow gambling (though it may have to be adjusted to allow for the machines)

How can they argue against allowing people to gamble where they can already do so?
SHEESH!


T.T.Y.L. Greg