In an article in the Business Edge, Mona Hill, co-owner of Spruce Grove-based Barona Yearlings, calls out Edmonton's Northlands Park for promoting simulcast racing instead of the Alberta standardbred product.
"We're (provincial horsepeople are) supporting Alberta and they're (Northlands are) promoting a simulcast race coming from the U.S. somewhere. Promote our product," Hill was quoted as saying. "This is what gets the locals to come to the track ... It's all gone technical (with) video games and slot machines. But without them, we won't survive right now."
Richard Thalheimer, president of the Lexington, Kentucky-based Thalheimer Research Associates, says in the article that off-track casino and lotteries have caused 35 to 40 per cent declines in betting at racetracks across North America.
In the article, Thalheimer states that slot machines cannot be the main source of income if racetracks in this country want to stay in business.
Click here to read the Business Edge article in its entirety.
(With files form the Business Edge)