Andrew Beyer on slots and racing. Is our future doomed?

[Blue feather]

Andrew Beyers latest column is about the slots subsidy and racing debate(link is below). I fear this is an opinion viewed by many. Is time running out for the subsidizing of thoroughbred racing and breeding as we have come to know it? Is the slots,"gravy train" nearing an end? Or is it possible for the Thoroughbred industry to turn it around and stand on its own? What is the fatal flaw in the current approach?

http://www.drf.com/news/beyer-slots-rac ... iage-rocks

[tinners way]

The fatal flaw is that you have to rely on the product, and promote the product, not a subsidy. In Texas we have done nothing to promote real purse fuelers- expanded OTB, ADW. Leadership has been blinded by the hope of slots.

If you have slots, you better realize that the revenue-at least 90%- will be disappearing.

The tracks may have the venue, but I have never seen a horse pull the lever.

[Terrapin Flyer]

Its funny that Beyer uses quotes from politicians trying to steal money away from the horsesmen, rather than saying that most of the states/provinces that have slots are making bank on these agreements but are trying to make them sound like subsidies. Giving a track 10% of a cut while taking in 90% isn't much of a subsidy...how much further in debt would these states be if the track didn't host these slots parlours for them. But he's an old man who's getting long in the tooth and he's been waiting 15 years to hit send on this article. He finally found a slight weak spot in the slots so now is his chance to pounce and get this Pulizer Prize worthy article in print...and somebody actually copied it.

[BenB]

Interest in racing is seriously fading, and small not competive fields does not help the cause either.

With the small foal grops coming to racing, there are simply to much tracks.

So in my opinion he is right. Racing has done far to less, to attract new customers on their sites.

[Blue feather]

You make a good point Terrapin. The lion share of slot revenue goes somewhere else. I hear little controversy about how that is spent.

[tinners way]

The vast majority of the revenue goes to taxes, the tracks, and then the horsemen- purses, breeding programs, etc.

Fundamentally the tracks were very smart to put there hands up and offer their venues as a great place for slot machines. The horsemen certainly deserve a piece of the action, as the venue would not exist without them. And since it is a great form of revenue, and highly profitable activity, local, state and the federal government are going to have their hands out as well.

If the resulting revenue that goes to purses and breeding programs does not produce the economic growth that is promised or expected, those dollars will not be seen as wisely spent.

The industry has to demonstrate how those dollars are reinvested and are providing for economic expansion.

[Shammy Davis]

The fatal flaw in my opinion is that the JC and the prevalence of "Dennies" (the likeness of Denny Phipps, JC Chair) continues to remain idle and unfocused on the problems at hand. It doesn't help that the same "denny" thinking is prevalent in the other racing entities.

Every racehorse and every potential racehorse has an "elephant" on its back from LFSN. That "elephant" is the JC and its sideline mentality.

I think it would be nice if the TB had an alternative registry. That would shake things up. Forty years ago, the United Kennel Club became competitive with the American Kennel Club and that really shook the canine breeding industry. The AKC began also sorts of advantageous programs. Both are still in operation and play a positive role in the canine industry today.

[ratherrapid]

i share the general feeling about the JC although that is the only national org that has teeth. for those clamoring for a national org we see what happens when the bear stirs and it knows very little.

anybody share my view, in disagreement with Ben, that horse racing is made for the internet and that track owned ADWs cutting out the middle persons and internet adds would play to an almost unlimited audience.

TVG adds interestingly are starting to appear on such as National Journal, National Review and various sports sites. Completely unimaginative adds but its a start. I seem to be the only one so far posting that this is the future and that after this sort of advertising takes hold--and it will, inevitably so--that the future is bright.

[Shammy Davis]

I agree that racing has to develop a fan base at all levels, but most importantly at the track. As much as I love horseracing, I get bored watching race after race with only the track surface as background. The excitement of sports is not limited to the playing fields, it about the excitement and enthusiasm produced by the fans in attendance at events. That why there is so much attention paid to "pre and post" game visuals on TV. I like what TVG and HRTV are doing in this regard. Personalizing horseracing is a big plus.

[tinners way]

IMO, Ratherrapid is dead on. ADW's, track controlled, or a state platform controlled by participating tracks that is fair to the tracks and horsemen will help develop handle and fan base. Bring fans, drive handle, and help breed programs.

And if everyone in the food chain is honest, it does not expand the footprint of gambling as Texas legislators, and our "OOPS" Governor are so afraid of. They need to take their heads out of the ground.