Dean over at Pull the Pocket talks about how in New Jersey there is a call for slots at the tracks with a split of the profits with the state and the casino operators and the other part split between the track operators and the breeders. Presumably, the track portion will be split between the horsemen and the tracks. As Dean points out, odds are none of the slot revenue will be used to cut the takeout to make racing more appealing to horseplayers.
Unfortunately, Dean is correct. The state of New Jersey or any other state for that matter could care less about horseplayers. As far as the states are concerned horseplayers are lumped with those that smoke and drink; for all practical purposes they are considered degenerates who the state can tax whenever the state has a shortfall in their budget. The vast majority of the population does not suffer from these tax increases so there is no fear of the repercussions at the ballot box. All your state legislators know is they get revenue for the state budget, possibly jobs for their constituents; other than that, they listen to the lobbyists and vote out the bill put before them.
What can we do? First of all, if you are not a member of Horseplayers Association of North America (HANA), join now. Yes, they are geared towards the runners but many of the issues facing the runners applies to harness racing. Even if you are someone that bets small amounts, you will be benefit from anything they accomplish. While donations are accepted, membership is free.
Secondly, it is time for a group like HANA to start talking to legislators, with or without a PAC. Get on the witness list when hearings are held. Tell them we want a small percentage of the slot revenue being divided between the tracks and the horsemen to be dedicated towards increasing the fan base as well as the handle through takeout relief on wagers across the board from the win wagers to exotics. Explain to them how cutting the takeout will actually increase handle and revenue for the state in the long run. This they will listen to.
Talking to track management is good, however the way politics works is if you don't speak for yourself no one is going to speak for you. Will it work, who knows? If you don't try, you'll never know.
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