June 19, 2007 10:40 am
—
Editor's note: The following column appeared in the Delmarva Farmer, an "agribusiness newspaper serving Delaware, Maryland and Virginia." It is reprinted here with permission of the editor.
Is Maryland intentionally trying to kill its horse racing industry?
Recently, the Maryland State Lottery introduced "Racetrax," a new video game at some 1,500 restaurants, bars, convenience stores and other easy-to-find places, where gamers can bet on computer-animated horse races. The Maryland State Lottery's Web site claims Racetrax "offers the thrill of being at the track with the payout and prizes similar to live horse betting."
Wonderful.
Standardbred and thoroughbred owners and trainers are already handicapped because tracks in surrounding states are able to use slot machines. Now a trip to the track itself is being painted as unnecessary. Revenue from slots would naturally make this state's racetracks more competitive with border states like Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia that permit the devices. Slots would not just benefit purses, but also the physical upkeep of the track facilities.
A favorite argument foes of slots cling to is that introducing an element of gambling would attract an "unsavory" element of people to the districts where slot machines would become available. Another point they enjoy bringing up is that slots would unfairly target low-income families who cannot really afford to participate in high-risk, low-return activities.
So what do these people have to say about the Maryland State Lottery, which appears to introduce a new scratch-off ticket every other week that can be easily obtained at any corner liquor store? And now, we have Racetrax. This isn't the first time the Maryland State Lottery has seemingly thumbed its nose at a smarting horse industry since the slot controversy really heated up shortly after the election of Gov. Robert Ehrlich in 2002. As the debate grabbed more and more headlines, the Maryland State Lottery took advantage of the new public awareness and created several new slot-machine-themed scratch-offs. Pure opportunism.
It's already a shame so many livelihoods were held hostage by the political football game when a Democrat-heavy legislature apparently refused to allow the first Republican governor elected in Maryland in 40 years to claim victory on slots - one of his more popular campaign issues. Now, Racetrax offers horse-racing enthusiasts - slot machines aren't even in the argument here - the option of not even needing to travel to a real track with real horses running on real dirt.
State tracks are already losing untold amounts of money. Just visit the parking lots of slot-supported facilities in Delaware and West Virginia and soak in the sight of all the Maryland license plates on vehicles. I know I'm beating a dead horse (pun intended), but this is money that could be - and could have been for four-plus years now - staying in state and supporting jobs and the industry within Maryland.
For several years, we have read and heard about the woeful and deteriorating shape of Pimlico race track and how the wonderful tradition of the Preakness Stakes may be moving from Maryland to another state where the industry is supported better. One Saturday in mid-May just isn't enough to supplement a whole year of racing in Maryland. Hopefully, a Preakness exit wouldn't be when lawmakers finally understand the enormity how this industry is in crisis. It wouldn't be coming back. And it could be a fatal blow for thousands of workers and employees within the state's horse racing industry.
Kevin George
Editor
DelMarva Farmer
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.