• Posts Tagged ‘race’

    Racetracks Still Petitioning for Slots

    Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

    There are more racing locations than ever that are looking to slots gambling as a means of saving their businesses. The market is in a difficult position right now because people are seriously cutting back on their gambling dollars but even more severe with their racing dollars. Most racetracks throughout the US are suffering now and showing no signs of returning to their old ways of operations. It is going to take a full proactive plan to make sure that the racing market doesn’t die off. This is an option that some legislators are discussing with racetrack owners right now. Should they let the market just die? It is a definite possibility due to the amount of problems that the market is experiencing. Most racetrack owners though don’t want that option to happen. They want to fight for their market and come up with ways of reviving their businesses. The main way they are thinking of is to work with the slots games. Racetrack owners believe that if they are allowed to bring in slots games they can revive their own revenue streams. This is an option because the money they get from the games can then be put into building bigger races with bigger purses. This normally is all it takes to revive the market and bring people in again to their race parks.

    Still, not all states are looking at this option. Some legislators would rather use their slots games for direct revenue to the state’s coffers. Plus, other casinos are not happy about the move either. They believe that if racetracks are allowed to have slots, it will cut into their own revenue streams and limit what they can bring in thanks to slots games. Sure slots are popular but the slots playing market is finite. Pulling it too thinly over the states could be a problem for all parties involved. Only time will tell whether or not states will allow racetracks to bring in slots gaming and it is a state-by-state issue too. Legislators are debating now, but it is a delicate question they have to find an answer to.

    Meadowlands Racetrack Fights for Slots

    Monday, March 28th, 2011

    The Meadowlands Race Track is fighting for its life right now. It is no secret that the gambling market has taken a hit thanks to the recession, but racing has been all but cut off at the knees. The racing industry has long been losing customers left and right. Though gambling in general lost millions of players at the height of the recession, they have slowly returned to the games. Now you can still find a good number of casinos that have full houses at the height of their days. This means that casinos have a chance to revive themselves and are working hard to solidify that. The problem though is that race tracks have never seen the same turnaround. The locations have seen a small rise in patronage, but too small to account for really. This is posing the question of whether or not race tracks are even viable to the market right now. It is possible that they are going to evolve out of the market in coming years and some gambling experts agree that this is inevitable. Still, the owners are not ready to lay down and accept that just yet. They are trying their best to turn things around. Just like other dying businesses look to change as a way of bringing in the market again, so are race track owners and operators toying with change. They want to see what the possibilities are in terms of bringing in slots and creating “racinos”—a hybrid of casino and race track that is growing in popularity in the market.

    The Meadowlands Race Track is one of those locations fighting for their business. Owners are trying to showcase their reputation. The race track is a staple in the Manhattan business world. Over the years it has served millions of patrons and given them some great racing experiences too. This is the kind of reputation it has and owners are using that reputation to build promotions and advertisements that remind the market about it. The market knows the power of racing and hopefully will remember the good times they have had at the location. If owners can revive it, then they have a chance to turn things around. If now, it could be the end of racing in a lot of states if they don’t find sole viable solutions.

    Racetracks Still Hoping for Slots

    Monday, March 28th, 2011

    If you are wagering right now at the slots, then consider playing at the racetracks. Right now more casinos than ever are offering slots and that includes racetracks. Racetracks have been suffering as a market since the recession. There are a lot of problems with the market and owners are at a loss when it comes to solving the problem. One of the biggest money makers in the world right now are slots games. They bring in about sixty percent of the overall revenues that casinos bring in. this is why operators of racetracks are looking for ways to bring in slots themselves. They understand the power of slots gaming and would love to combine with the games to create “racinos.” A racino is a racetrack that has slots gaming on it floor. It is one of those combinations that would surely create an advantage for racetracks. There are two advantages. First of all, racetracks that are allowed to have slots gambling would benefit from the money. They can take that additional slots money and turn it into bigger purses. One of the biggest problems for racetracks right now is that they don’t have the budgets to build big purses. Without big purses, they cannot keep on bringing in the same number of gamblers as they once did. These big purses possibly can be the saving grace for racetracks. Bigger purses may mean greater numbers of gamblers automatically fueling their money into the racetrack industry.

    The other benefit of having slots games at racetracks is the inevitable benefit of bringing in more gamblers. Though they may not necessarily wager on the races, they still will be bringing notoriety to the racetracks. They can push the racetracks over the edge and make them more popular than ever before. Right now the market is in danger of evolving out of the market altogether and without some big changes, operators are worried about the future. Slots are one of the best money- makers in the market right now and entities all over are utilizing it. Just ask states that are bringing the games in and see the increase in slots at casinos. It is no wonder why racetrack owners are pining for slots to help them out of their financial slump. Without the option, there are few other games that have the same power to turn businesses around.

    IL Pushes for Slots-Bill to Change Racetracks

    Friday, February 11th, 2011

    The state of Illinois is still debating gambling for racetracks. It is no secret that racetracks have been suffering in revenue since the recession. They were probably the hardest hit faction of the gambling world. Though people have slowly started wagering in casinos and at the slots parlors, they haven’t returned to racetracks. This is causing a problem because without patrons, the racetracks can’t build the big purses they need to attract that many more bettors. Without bettors, they can’t build big purses. It is a cyclical problem that legislators within the state are trying to address and finding ways of making changes. Their foremost talked about solution is to allow racetracks to convert themselves into racinos, or a hybrid slots parlor and racetrack. This is a solution that many locations have successfully used. The issue here is that without slots gambling bring brought in, many racetracks are going to have to close down. The only other option is for the government to inject a stimulus into their markets—which is not something that many legislators are keen on doing. In Illinois the debates are heated, but swayed in the direction of making it happen. Legislators want to allow racetracks to bring in slots because of the potential to turn the market around. There is a hitch though…

    The legislators pushing for the bill to allow slots into racetracks didn’t move fast enough. It has already been defeated by the House of Representatives and the Senate. The secondary problem though is that even if it did get through those two entities, most likely the governor would have vetoed it anyway. Racetrack owners within Illinois have been trying to bring in slots gaming for a long time now. They know that if they have them they can increase their revenues and use the additional money to bulk up their races—in both payout and in schedules. If the racetracks are not able to find a way to subsidize their businesses, they are going to have to close their doors. This could mean the end of the racing business, but also the business of thoroughbred racing. That would be a huge loss for the market and legislator are trying desperately to avoid this happening.

    Legislators Hope the Power of Slots Can Save Racing

    Thursday, January 27th, 2011

    More and more state legislators are looking to slots gaming as a means of saving the racing market. Though it was a question a few months ago, now legislators see few other options. They know that racing has suffered greatly over the past two years. Though other markets of gambling reinvigorated, or are on the way to change, racing isn’t. It has been suffering and is showing few signs of improvement. Many race track owners have gone through various different ways of trying to change their markets. They tried cutting costs drastically. They tried layoffs. They tried cutting back on purses. The problem though is that it is the big purses that are the most beneficial for a race track. The big purses are what the customers come to see. Without it, there is little draw to bring people in. Of course the problem is cyclical. Without big purses, race tracks can’t bring in enough people to pay. Without pay, racetracks can’t create the big purses. There are a few options though. First of all, most legislators are looking to slots as a means of changing the racing market. The combination of racing and slots gaming is called a “racino.” This is growing more popular in the state. Legislators are allowing race tracks to bring in slots as a means of saving their markets.

    Of course there is also the option of increasing taxes. Some state legislators are contemplating taking tax revenue dollars and turning them over to race tracks for revival. Though this is an interesting option, most likely it won’t work. The reason is because few entities paying those taxes—whether it is taxpaying individuals or businesses or other gambling centers—are showing signs of wanting to support the racing market. They believe that they should not have to subsidize an entire dying market. This could be a tricky thing to convince them otherwise. There are a lot of reasons why slot may be used. One important one is because people believe that slots will allow them to not have to pay increased taxes. This is a huge benefit to the average tax payer. Right now legislator are listening to the consumers. They believe that slots gaming is a great way to reinvigorate the racing market.

    IL Still Working on Race Track Plan

    Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

    The state of Illinois is in heavy debates over the issue of racing. The racing industry has suffered huge setbacks in the market during and since the recession. People cut down on gambling and that meant all but eliminating their racing habits. Race tracks immediately fell the brunt of the recession when people severed their ties to tracks. Part of the problem is that race tracks are built such that their revenues go directly into their future purses. These then built up even more revenue. Once that scheme is severed, there is no returning to the old business model. This is something that race track owners are realizing. The system was broken when people ended up stopping their wagering and have not yet returned to the race tracks to support them. This lack of support is now putting race track operators at a difficult time in the business world. They are risking closings, layoffs and other serious cut backs to avoid completely leaving the market. No one could have predicted the recession, but now everyone has to find ways to manage their way through it.

    Illinois is a state that has a plan for their race track system. They want to push through a bill that would allow all state horse racing locations to have slot machines. The money coming in from slots would then be put into the race tracks, allowing them to build those bigger purses that they are in desperate need of to spur the market on. The new legislation on the table is called the “Slots at tracks” legislation and Illinois lawmakers are hopeful that it will be pushed through. They want the senate to act quickly and then the governor to back the proposal. Right now the senate is in favor of the change and using slots to reinvigorate the market. Without some proactive moves, the racing market may face complete dissolution sooner than ever though. This legislation may be the very thing it needs to increase revenues and build up money reserves once again. Expect the decision on the bill to be made within the next few weeks and for things to change as a result.

    PA Race Tracks Show 25% Decline in Revenue

    Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

    PA racetracks have been suffering over the past few years with diminishing numbers. It is no secret that a lot of experts are officially labeling racing as a dying hobby. They see the declines in people going to race tracks and how detrimental to the entire market this is. One of the biggest draws that race tracks have had in the past is creating bigger purses for wins. Nothing was as exciting as bringing in an exciting race where bettors could take their shot at a huge purse at the end of the night. Race track owners built up to the purse too by creating smaller ones for the beginning of the night and saving the best for last. People loved watching their favorite horses rush the track to see who would win. Those big purses were what drew people in. Then something happened. Once the recession took hold, people stopped going to race tracks altogether though. They cut back on the activity and this put owners in difficult positions. Not only could they not afford their monthly costs, but they had no means to build the big purses that in the past had served them so well in the market.

    Pennsylvania officials are having problems reviving their own markets right now. The Gaming Control Board announced that its own horse track numbers declined by twenty-five percent in the past five years. This steady decline is possibly the worst news that the state could stomach right now. It isn’t easy to revive a market that sees a sharp decline in numbers, but when one is showing a steady decline over time, that may be even more difficult to remedy. The state isn’t giving up hope though. Right now they are taking on the same route that other states are. They are bringing slots to the race tracks and hoping that they can revive the market. In 2009, slots brought in $236-million in revenue to the state. This is what legislators are holding onto– hoping that once again the state can benefit from the games. They are considering increasing their numbers of games in the hopes of saving the racing industry.

    Texas Race Tracks Want Slots

    Friday, January 14th, 2011

    Texas is in the news again regarding their slots initiatives. This time it is their interest in bringing slots gaming to their race tracks that is making waves. Right now the state posted a shortfall of $27 billion on the books. This is a result of the recession and the former financial difficulties upon the state. The aftermath of the recession is proving to be harsh. Now states are pushing for change but having a hard time doing it. One of the easiest things they can do however is to bring in slots gaming. Slots are performers. The games bring in millions of dollars for legislations everywhere and allowing people to breathe a sigh of relief in terms of finding funding. Now Texas is another state looking to make the move in on the games. There are thirteen racetracks around the state and three Indian-owned casinos. Lawmakers want to bring slots to all of these locations and if they can come up with a plan to do it, they can bring in $1-billion annually. This is a huge amount and can turn the market around considerably faster than any other options available.

    The only question remaining is whether or not the gambling public is in on the changes. So far they are. A recent poll revealed that over sixty-percent of the voting public believes that the games would have a positive influence on the market right now. They are hoping that they can see the games take a tax burden off of them too. Plus the games give them added benefits of having great local places to participate and win. The games overall are beneficial and yet still there is a negative side to them. Anti-gambling activists within the state are still pushing for their side to be head. They believe that crime and corruption, along with addiction and theft, are the biggest deterrents of bringing in slots gambling throughout the entire state. They are arguing that bringing so many could be a problem too—rather than easing their way into the market slowly. Only time will tell what happens, but so far legislators are ready to move in on the initiative and build slots parks around Houston Race Track first.

    Saratoga Gaming and Raceway Changes Name

    Thursday, January 13th, 2011

    One of the things that casinos are toying with all over the world is name changes. It can be a good way to reintroduce a casino or product to the market. Plus it gives a casino the chance then to create a new grand opening. This can open the door for additional specials and promotions to bring in even more gamers. People love grand openings because they know what they can earn through the events. The Saratoga Gaming and Raceway is now going to push for a reopening, but under a totally new name. This time the slots parlor is pushing for being called the Saratoga Casino and Raceway. This is a change that they are already promoting to the public. Now they are going to offer much more than just casino gaming. This time they are introducing harness racing along with a state of the art slots parlor. The change is to focus on the gambling and slots gaming available at the location and make sure that new patrons know what focus they have on casino gaming now.

    The new name will bring more attention to the casino because of the various offerings they have for everyone who comes in. the casino also is working electronic roulette wheels in, along with more slots gaming. They are pushing for new promotions for customers who are part of their Loyalty Program and for new customers who take a chance on the casino. Also, the casino has decided to make a change in their operating hours. They are going to be opening at 9am, rather than the 10am hour they so far have been working with. They still close their doors at 4am, but feel that the additional hour to wager will satisfy more gamers and their schedules. Overall this is planned to be a prime location for gambling and should work well with the market. So far the track has over 1,700 slots games for people to toy with and take advantage of. Now they are going to do some huge promotions along with this opening and bring in that much more cash for the casino and the state involved.

    Racing and Slots Combination Still Up for Debate

    Friday, December 31st, 2010

    The creation of racinos is causing some controversy in the market. A racino is a combination of race track and slots parlor. Race tracks these days are suffering. More and more are having problems. Since the recession, race tracks have had steadily declining numbers and it seems that nothing can revive them. They have tried building bigger races and bringing in more scheduled races, but nothing is working. As a last ditch effort, many are petitioning their home states in an effort to get approval for bringing slot gaming in. It is no secret that slots gaming is highly lucrative and that it is one of the final ways for economies, and race tracks, to try to save themselves. Slots are credited with bringing in 60% of the revenue that Las Vegas casinos have right now. They are the games that single handedly are allowing the casino market to continue to hold on. That is no small feat. This is why now race track owners are looking to the games as a means of building their own businesses up. There is a problem though.

    Legislators are pushing for race tracks to get their slots, but not without an added cost to the public. Sure they can expand slots gaming, but it could threaten the markets for local gaming companies. For example, a land based casino is no doubt going to suffer some losses once slots are offered at race tracks throughout the states too. Plus, with the rise in the online market this too is thinning down the market. Though gaming companies are entering the market, there aren’t as many new gamers entering to support them at the past levels of performance. In addition, some states are hoping to put millions into the racing industry as a way to save it. They are taking a lot of criticism from anti-gambling activists. They maintain that race tracks are the last things legislators should be putting their money into…especially since the recessionary aftermath is still alive and well. Nothing is back to normal just yet and businesses are stressed financially. Is this the right time for legislators to earmark millions to a steadily-dying market like race tracks?