Beulah Park Brings in Slots to Create Revenue
Many racetracks are looking to slot machines as a way to save their industry. Since the beginning of the recession many people have cut back seriously on their spending. The high unemployment rate, the lending crash and the home-value decline have all worked together to wreak havoc on the market. Experts estimate the recession won’t turn around visibly until mid-2010. That is good news for some industries, but not good news for industries that were hoping for a more immediate turnaround. The economy’s recovery is predicated on the unemployment rate returning to normal. The national average is 10% but some cities are experiencing unemployment rates of 40% or more. It’s bad news for consumers wanting to budget and change their financial positions. Until consumers are able to financially return to their old ways of operations, it will be difficult for racetracks to find ways to sustain themselves and make ends meet.
Because of the economy, racetracks are pushing for slot machines to be brought into their gaming floors. Ohio is no different, but racetrack operators are using a unique argument to bring in the games. Operators are saying that though the new games they are bringing in play like slots, look like slots and payout like slots, they aren’t officially slots. They say that the games are not under the category of slot machines and therefore should be legal for operations on their racetrack locations.
Grove City’s Beulah Park has installed more than 30 of these non-slot machines that they call “sweepstakes games.” They say that they are simply trying to find ways of bringing in revenue and revive the horse racing industry. Because the games aren’t official slots games, they should be allowed. Beulah Park owners are also saying that without the machines, the racetrack may have to lay off workers, cut back or even close altogether.
Owners of the park are saying that these sweepstakes games are equitable to playing the popular McDonald’s monopoly game where players get “pieces” on cups and French fry containers. They then collect the pieces and try to fill out the game board for prizes. Owners of Beulah Park claim that their machines operate just like that. However, the McDonald’s game didn’t look or sound anything like a slot machine. Some residents in the area are worried because though slot machines aren’t allowed in the state, racetracks are trying to skirt the issue and sneak games in. They believe that the racetrack owners are being deceptive and dishonest with the people and legislators. They are also holding legislators responsible for enforcing the laws of slot machines and hoping that they make serous moves to keep the racetracks within the confines of the law.
