In direct contrast to each other, a pair of articles on non-horse racing websites shows how the implementation of expanded gaming at existing racetracks can make or break local industries in the northeastern United States
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An article on poststar.com shines its light on New York's Saratoga Raceway. The report outlines how expanded gaming -- video lottery terminals, to be exact -- were implemented at the facility, which has since gone on to become a multi-faceted entertainment destination for the region.
"The VLTs saved us. I think without them, we would have been done," horseman Frank Coppola was quoted as saying.
"What we are now is an entertainment facility that offers a variety of options to people," John Matarazzo, director of racing operations at the facility, was quoted as saying. "You can come here and bet the live horses; you can bet the simulcast races; you can go to the gaming floor where we have 1,700 machines; you can go to the nightclub and to the fine dining restaurant. We feel it is the premier entertainment facility in the Capital District."
On Wednesday, March 10 it was announced that New Hampshire's Rockingham Park, a home to live horse racing for the last 104 years, would not be conducting live cards in 2010, yet would still be simulcasting racing action for its customers. The move was precipitated by state budget cuts.
“Sometimes states fail to look at the strong economic impact of racing from an agricultural base,’’ United States Trotting Association Director of Officials T.C. Lane was quoted as saying in an article by boston.com.
“I can understand that the state wants to use that money for health and human services, but it leaves a lot of people here in the lurch,’’ Ed Callahan, Rockingham’s president and general manager, was quoted as saying. “We want to continue working to get this resolved for next year.’’
According to Western New England Harness Horsemen’s Association Executive Director Ralph Andersen, the state is failing to factor in the ripple effect of live racing: feed vendors, hay cutters, blacksmiths, and hands-on horse workers, local restaurants, hotels, businesses, etc.