The New Year means the return to the legislature in many states and an opportunity for horse racing to improve itself. Adding casinos to the racing operations of course has been the most important actions for racing and we’ve been following what’s on tap for this year:
KENTUCKY: Governor Beshear announced that this is the year to pass legislation to allow for a constitutional admendment to expand gambling in the state. As usual pro-racing interests have lined up bills to add casinos to the state’s racetracks. Breeders have mounted a campaign that the nations top breeding industry is in trouble with New York expected to increase purses 40% this year due to slots at Aqueduct.
The legislation would require a statewide vote, so any help could be at least two years away. Beshear did not outline any plan himself or what forms of gambling and their locales during his speech.
NEW YORK: The Genting Company of Malaysia, operators of the new slots casino at Aqueduct has a working agreement in place with Governor Cuomo to built the country’s largest convention center at the Big A. The slots added last fall have been a homerun and 2500 more games are on tap to open soon with purses up over 30% this month. Genting wants to invest $4 billion into a complex including a 3000 room hotel. They have proposed converting Aqueduct’s third floor meeting space into a table games casino as part of their efforts.
It is unclear though, if such an expansion of gambling will make it through the legislature and if it’s a constitutional change requiring passage over 2 years of the legislature and a statewide referendum.
Nonetheless, the success of the new casino is already sending shockwaves to casinos in nearby Connecticut, Atlantic City and Pennsylvania who have seen some impact and who can only wonder if expanded gambing in New York City will do their business.
PENNSYLVANIA No state has benefited from casinos in recent years like the Keystone state which announced 504 days of thorougbhred racing this past week. Though no new laws appear on the horizon, after some declines in gambling in the state earlier in the year, overall wagering is up this winter.
MARYLAND No state has been hit harder from casinos than Maryland and the political mess continues. With threats by Maryland Jockey Club owners to cut back to just 40 days of thoroughbreds at Pimlico led to another war with horsemen another last minute agreement averted a disaster. Racing will be back for another 141 days this year and the MJC will be able to use $8 million in slots funds earmarked for track improvements to pay for operations instead. Industry and state leaders will continue to work toward a long term relief program as it appears no casinos for Pimlico and Laurel.
On the harness side, Rosecroft has still not reached an agreement with the MJC and horsemen over simulcasting and their limited plan for live dates keeps the industry cloudy. Rosecroft is seeking legislation to add slots to their track but faces opposition from county leaders and the exisiting casino operators including Arundel Mills which is set to open the first slots in the Baltimore area by June.
FLORIDA Even the best handicapper could not find a favorite in predicting what will happen this year with legislation. Just about everyone related to pari-mutuels is seeking some kind of casino bill and new pari-mutuels like barrel racing have been added to the mix. Two legislators are seeking to open as many as 5 multi-billion dollar resort casinos (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Tampa) in their latest proposal.
Originally not including racing in their bill, they now support full casinos at the existing racinos and a big drop in the tax the tracks pay on slots.
Tomorrow, will take a look at more states.
