The BC Elims at Scioto

[Kenny]

I realize your common theme is by removing the handouts. How is that going to fix anything? Without the handouts, some tracks would be forced to close while others would see purses so low, it would put people with cheaper horses out of business and alot of jobs would be lost.

There is NO way to fix harness racing. Most of its fans are older people and as they've died off no one has replace them. Younger people aren't interested unless they grew up in the industry.

It is simple economics. With the handouts the customer/fan is irrelevant. They do not have to be concerned with attracting customers because that is not the source of the money supporting the industry. Take away the handouts and the industry has to put out a product people want and will support. That changes everything.

The job loss comment is a red herring. Take the handout money and use it for infrastructure, schools or lower taxes and you get even more jobs and you get things the general publics actually wants.

[Lockedin with Pace]

I just don't believe no matter what they try, attracting many new fans is just a fantasy. There are too many other options for people to wager on that take less time without knowing how to read the program. Take away the handouts, and as I said before, some tracks will be forced to close or drop their purses dramatically resulting in people leaving the game because it isn't profitable. Attracting new fans to almost any track is impossible no matter what they try.

[wiggles44]

I just don't believe no matter what they try, attracting many new fans is just a fantasy. There are too many other options for people to wager on that take less time without knowing how to read the program. Take away the handouts, and as I said before, some tracks will be forced to close or drop their purses dramatically resulting in people leaving the game because it isn't profitable. Attracting new fans to almost any racetrack is impossible no matter what they try.

Your buddy Mike is trying his best to make this happen

[Kenny]

I just don't believe no matter what they try, attracting many new fans is just a fantasy. There are too many other options for people to wager on that take less time without knowing how to read the program. Take away the handouts, and as I said before, some tracks will be forced to close or drop their purses dramatically resulting in people leaving the game because it isn't profitable. Attracting new fans to almost any track is impossible no matter what they try.

Then the sport should die. If it does not have enough customer support why should it exist?  If it just disappeared 99% of the population would not care and they might actually be happy because those funds could be used for things they want. As long as the handouts exist the industry will not try to offer a product people want and will support.

Attracting new fans is impossible as the industry is NOW. That does not mean it cannot evolve into something people would want.  The casinos under the same roof are packed. The Red Mile gets more people spending money on historical racing!

[Bitter Truth]

You're right Locked in. Blame Campbell, blame whoever. Change tracks, doesn't matter. I was thinking of
The Jug and their crowd. If those people 'WERE' actually harness racing fans, Scioto would be packed.
The vast majority of them are just there to party, which is fine, but  not doing much for the industry in
general. Fool's gold. Having said that, weather is looking clear as a bell, 0% of rain both nights this week
and I for one am looking forward to some great racing, handle or not.

[Lockedin with Pace]

Then the sport should die. If it does not have enough customer support why should it exist?  If it just disappeared 99% of the population would not care and they might actually be happy because those funds could be used for things they want. As long as the handouts exist the industry will not try to offer a product people want and will support.

Attracting new fans is impossible as the industry is NOW. That does not mean it cannot evolve into something people would want.  The casinos under the same roof are packed. The Red Mile gets more people spending money on historical racing!

I do believe it's just a matter of time before the handouts in some states will be greatly reduced or eliminated and some of those tracks will have to close.
One casino that is never busy is Harrah's Chester. It's in a high crime area with alot of poor people.

[Kenny]

I do believe it's just a matter of time before the handouts in some states will be greatly reduced or eliminated and some of those tracks will have to close.
One casino that is never busy is Harrah's Chester. It's in a high crime area with alot of poor people.

Harness racing needs to change. That will not happen as long as there are handouts. A product nobody wants will not last forever.  the industry is just going to sit around and then scream when the handouts end.

[seen2much]

I do believe it's just a matter of time before the handouts in some states will be greatly reduced or eliminated and some of those tracks will have to close.
One casino that is never busy is Harrah's Chester. It's in a high crime area with alot of poor people.

It has competition too and will never get busier.

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

The only state that is giving money to racetracks is NJ. All the other states are kicking back part of the tax generated by casinos who OWN the racetracks. That isn't a handout.

[Lockedin with Pace]

The only state that is giving money to racetracks is NJ. All the other states are kicking back part of the tax generated by casinos who OWN the racetracks. That isn't a handout.

Kenny loves to call it handouts even though what you say is accurate.

[Kenny]

Kenny loves to call it handouts even though what you say is accurate.

It is a handout. It is a government tax that comes from the people playing slots. There is no connection between slots and racing. Ask the people playing the slots where they want the money to go. Ask the general public where they want that money to go. As the casinos where they want that money to go. It is a handout that makes the customer irrelevant. Take the handout away and the industry is in dire straits.

It is a handout just like the the taxes you pay that goes to the lady with 5 kids and three baby daddies who is buying steak and lobster with it.

[Lockedin with Pace]

It is a handout. It is a government tax that comes from the people playing slots. There is no connection between slots and racing. Ask the people playing the slots where they want the money to go. Ask the general public where they want that money to go. As the casinos where they want that money to go. It is a handout that makes the customer irrelevant. Take the handout away and the industry is in dire straits.

If that money wasn't part of the deal, several tracks never would have been built because they couldn't make it on their own.

[JT]

Ohio has racinos and casinos

The racinos were passed by the state legislature and is tied in with the lottery
The racinos have vlt's and racing only. This will never get overturned.
It is in bed with the Ohio Lottery

The casinos..4 of them..we're passed by the voters
These only have slots and table games
These will never close either

Sports betting is allowed at both