Airport Looks To Bring Slots to Waiting Passengers
Miami Dade Airport officials want to bring slot machines to the airport. They believe that this would be a great way to entertain people waiting for connecting flights and it also would be a way to bring in additional money to the business. Of course to make the move, they have to first get approval from the state.
Though it seems easy enough, there are some who are vehemently against slots being installed at the airports. Namely, it’s local racinos that are voicing their negative opinion of the move. They believe that racinos have suffered enough. The economy has wreaked havoc on the racetrack industry. Racetracks all over have suffered greatly due to patrons not having the funds to gamble. Tracks in particular have found it difficult to sustain themselves through the recession. Many have had to file bankruptcy and others have had to close down completely. One move many racetracks have made is to incorporate slots into their facilities. Slots have given many racetracks the ability to turn their own revenue-making downfall around. They have also created the new term “racino” as a blend of racetrack and slots casino.
Because of the care racetracks have had to go through to remain in business, they are fighting against the airport bringing slots to the market. They are worried that slots will cut too much into their much-needed revenues. One racetrack owner said, “If people can play slots at the airport, what is the incentive for them to leave at all? A lot of our patrons came from people visiting for a few hours…the shuttle brought them directly to us with slots specials and promotions.”
Local casinos agree that airports are not in need of funds as desperately at the casinos. Racetrack owner John Parsell said, “Without slots revenue, we have to close. Airports have been operating without slots revenue and will continue. They have a huge market to keep them going. We don’t.” Despite opposition, the airport is moving ahead with its request for slot machines and hoping to capitalize on the revenues they bring. Though many believe that slots don’t necessarily have a logical place in an airport, the money they bring does.
Tags: airport, Miami-Dade, racino, slots
