The hope is that these recommendations will not come too little or too late. Much of the advice is reasoned and well-meaning; a means for correcting the problems that the game faces not only in New York but a template for Anytrack USA.
What was not addressed is whether or not the model itself is broken, out of step with the modern culture or whether the Council should have concentrated more on macro or micro recommendations, depending on one’s philosophy.
It appears the Council has done a little of both, which at once can be the good news and the bad news. A look, then, at many of weightier recommendations affecting the greatest number of people and the racing industry itself, presented in two parts:
Takeout Rates: The language here was surprisingly explicit, the Council stating that while non-NYRA tracks use VLT revenue to fund 71 percent of its purses, “there have been few serious attempts made to help out the bettors… It is time for [all] New York racetracks to reduce takeout on their customers.”
Reducing takeout is a win-win-win, of course, benefitting horse racing’s customers, the state’s coffers and the tracks themselves by making their product more attractive to the simulcast market that accounts for almost nine of every 10 dollars wagered.
It is hoped there will be none of those famed legislative half-measures necessitating the constant revisiting of the same issue. Recently, the SRWB extended the provision allowing for continued video streaming for another year.
I'm wondering if New York’s regulators could be more sophomoric? Is the wagering landscape about to change dramatically in 2014? The only good that comes from these short-term fixes is that the SRWB gets to hold on to a bargaining chip for future negotiations.
Track Partnership: “The Racing and Wagering Board should foster and facilitate a collaborative partnership among New York tracks, similar to how it coordinated an agreement on video streaming.
“The conglomerate of NY tracks would include NYRA tracks, Finger Lakes, and all Harness tracks in New York State. This would enable the parties to work together to market simulcasting measures and permit tracks greater bargaining power for simulcast races and help make sure New York races are carried elsewhere thus helping New York track handle.”
Long overdue, this makes so much sense the only questions that remain are why it took three decades to figure out that it’s about cooperation, not competition, and that there is bargaining strength in numbers. Perhaps, it was the industry’s poor cooperation past performances that snuffed out the notion that common sense solutions could work.
Enhancing Belmont Stakes Day Fan Experience: “Belmont Stakes Day typically features the highest attendance day of any track during the year and has had some of the largest crowds to ever attend a sporting event in New York State. Belmont Stakes Day is, for many fans, their only visit to a race track during the year.
"Belmont Stakes Day is an excellent opportunity to highlight and showcase every positive aspect of horse racing to entice fans to come back to the track on other race days.
“The experience should be improved by lowering the prices of food, beverages and souvenirs, as opposed to raising prices for such items. NYRA should also consider allowing fans to bring food and beverages to the track on Belmont Stakes Day.
“If safety reasons prevent this, prices at the track for these items should be reasonable to ensure fans have a positive experience. Finally, NYRA should consider a promotion to draw those fans in attendance on Belmont Stakes Day to return to the races on another day.”
What’s next, pinning smiley-face my-name-is buttons on the uniforms of mutuel clerks? (Sorry, just couldn’t resist… although it wouldn’t be such a bad idea, mind you).
Actually, what New York racing has come to is this: That a historic sports event capable of attracting a six-figure crowd is to be regarded as a marketing opportunity. Somewhat sadly, however, this is exactly right.
It can be argued, too, that some of the VLT money—if some statute needs adjusting then do it—can be used to lower prices every day, making a day at the races affordable, top tier entertainment in a well-manicured facility. Old can be charming [see Saratoga].
Further, casinos are known for serving good food at reasonable prices. There is no reason the New NYRA can’t do the same thing with some of the VLT largesse it receives. And given its huge expanse, picnicking for families should be encouraged by severely reducing--or even eliminating--admissions, for adults who bring their children.
Finish Line Placement at Yonkers: “The Racing & Wagering Board should review the placement of the finish line at Yonkers… to see if a change in the finish line location is feasible. Moving the finish further up the stretch would benefit fans by allowing them to more accurately see the finish… and permit the starting gate to release the field earlier so horses can jockey for position more before heading into the first turn… ideally reducing the impact of post position.”
Since I cut my teeth on harness racing and witnessed the great Speedy Scot break, make up an eighth of a mile, and still win the Yonkers Trot in under two minutes, a standard for half-mile track greatness back in the day, I feel qualified to speak on this.
While the idea of releasing horses sooner at the start before reaching the first turn to mitigate the effect of outside post position has merit, moving the finish line further up the stretch is a terrible idea.
As it is, if your horse is not at least a close-up third entering the Yonkers stretch, it has no chance. Lengthening the stretch gives more horses a chance to win and just might help slow down the dominance of short-priced winners.
WiFi: “Track operators should make WiFi available throughout the racing facilities so that fans can use tablets and other technology to download racing programs and access racing information.”
I have often made this suggestion often at my local track. If the venue is concerned that bettors will use Internet service to access other ADW companies, simply put a block on those competing sites. As it is, bettors can use cell phones to wager with competitors.
Saturday: Part ll of New York Fan Council Recommendations to the SRWB
04 Jan 2013 at 02:57 am | #
Soaking the public at big events is a way of life in all sports. What’s objectionable about doing it on Belmont day is that you also take advantage of the people who support the game year-round. What’s needed is a frequent-flyer like plan which would allow regular customers to come to the Belmont for the same prices they normally do--or free for really frequent attendees as a gesture of appreciation.
Trying to hinder or block the internet is as silly as the ban on phones at the race track, another ridiculous attempt to block contact with the outside world, which stood for years longer than it should have. With new smart phones, wi-fi isn’t even necessary. My anecdotal evidence is that one of the appeals of a day at the track is collecting cash for a winning ticket. Bottom line: people who want to bet off track while on track already have all the options they need.
04 Jan 2013 at 06:51 am | #
Dear John:
For those of us who have been frequent patrons of the NYRA tracks since Stevie Cauthen was a teenage sensation, this report might have saved some trees if it just read, “Been there, done that”. Since the definition of insanity is repeatedly attempting the same actions, while expecting a different result, one must conclude that this commission must be in need of some extensive mental therapy!
We have been whining about all of these issues for far too long. I pray that Dr. Skorton attempts to at least, shine some light on the various solutions offered.
However, after going to the Big A on Tuesday, to get my 2013 NYRA calendar, I must say that the situation is dire and in need of emergency surgery. A nursery rhyme once started, “There used to be an OTB parlor on Rockaway Parkway”; I forgot the rest of the words, but its ugly step-sister has set up shop at the racetrack next to Jamaica Bay.
I call on the Governor, who wanted, and now “owns” the land upon which the Big A was built, to remind the current “landlord”, i.e., Genting Casino, that with its “right” to operate the most financially succesful casino in captivity, comes the “responsibilty” to maintain the ENTIRE property, including the OTB parlor that sits next to it. The Governor might also remind the landlord that, once full casino gambling is approved this November, the Governor will remember that Genting was fully complicit in permitting his racetrack to used as a toilet.
John, may you and your family have a Happy and Healthy New Year!
04 Jan 2013 at 03:50 pm | #
Framarco, I hear your frustration and feel your pain, “whining...been there, done that” etc. I’m sure, I pray, that getting the Big A back to being a place you WANT to spend an afternoon, is a tall order, but it needs to be done if NYRA continues racing year-round.
And if the Governor has other plans for the Big A, such as eliminating it entirely (big mistake) then Belmont would have to be completely winterized first and/or a tiny grandstand erected with a view of the training track which would become the new “winter race place.”
Sorry, but it’s going to be a long wait and see. I don’t envy Mr. Skorton.
TV, I’ve heard track executives tell me they put WiFi in their facility they would block competing ADW sites. I agree with you that that would be a sophomoric fix and wouldn’t work anyway. Tracks, ADWs and the like new to develop brand loyalty; good customer service is how you do that.
Sorry, but WiFi IS necessary, and I’m not just talking about young newbies, whom everyone talks about but nobody ever sees. (I think the game should be marketed to 40-somethings who can appreciate nuance and might have more free time).
I personally know many people, myself included, that use data other than just past performances and it’s all available online, where I can also place bets with the track’s ADW if I wish.
As you know, this is a brave new simulcast world that can devour you unless you have the data to cope with it. And that takes Smart Phones, Tablets, mini-computers and the like to access it all.