Only A Three Million Dollar Hit For Pennsylvania Racing?

[Elgin]

Only a $3 Million Hit For Pennsylvania Racing?
By Bill Finley

The Pennsylvania Senate has passed a budget that
includes only a $3 million cut from racing, a far cry from the
$72 million Gov. Tom Corbett had proposed taking from the
state

[LVGaryD]

That is still a big cut, but far less severe.

[Headpole Dave]

1.5 million versus being bled dry is pretty decent. The money going to Harrisburg doesn't hurt either. If only Ontario were able to get a deal like this in place.

[jordanjacob]

great news, nice to see PA staying a top destination state to race especially while Ontario may be in serious trouble for racing interests

[Elgin]

The battle for survival in Ontario has been very impressive; the rank and file has stepped up in a big way. Standardbred Canada and the Canadian Sportsman have gone the extra mile in leading the fight for survival. Dave Briggs has been especially good. But it appears that, despite those efforts, the Ontario Liberal Party will have its way: the sport will have its legs cut out from under it. And this sudden loathing for harness racing on the part of the OLG has spread like a cancer through the other provinces.

Meanwhile, the fight against Tom Corbett

[GalloBlueChip]

The battle for survival in Ontario has been very impressive; the rank and file has stepped up in a big way. Standardbred Canada and the Canadian Sportsman have gone the extra mile in leading the fight for survival. Dave Briggs has been especially good. But it appears that, despite those efforts, the Ontario Liberal Party will have its way: the sport will have its legs cut out from under it. And this sudden loathing for harness racing on the part of the OLG has spread like a cancer through the other provinces.

Meanwhile, the fight against Tom Corbett

[Elgin]

WEG will land on its feet; owners with premium stock will simply send their horses to the states; those  with quality stallions and broodmares will find a spot for them in the US. If, after the musical chairs of closing racetracks, there isn

[beans and weenies]

WEG will land on its feet; owners with premium stock will simply send their horses to the states; those  with quality stallions and broodmares will find a spot for them in the US. If, after the musical chairs of closing racetracks, there isn

[Just Saying]

Kim Hankins is the head of the PHHA? Boy, The Ol' Tanker really gets around.

Hope you're doing well Tank!

[jordanjacob]

pretty sad that beaurocrats can dismantle a business with minimal notice at any time

[Elgin]

The problem in Ontario stems from the fact that when the program started, people from the lower 48 would flock across the border to play casino games. As Casino gaming parlors started popping up in the states, people went there instead and revenues began to plummet.

You'll notice WEG has had little to say about this, probably because the OLG has plans to build a Mega-Casino in Toronto, right next to Woodbine.

Holmes: Woodbine Could Close If GTA Casino Goes Elsewhere
 
Published: May 14, 2012 1:57 pm ET

 "If the slots were removed from Woodbine you would see the end of Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto."
On Monday, Woodbine Entertainment Group's Vice-President of Corporate Affairs Jane Holmes warned Toronto's Executive Council that Woodbine Racetrack "could close" if a casino was to be built in the GTA at a location other than the Rexdale, Ont. facility. The above quote appeared in the Globe And Mail on Monday afternoon.
As reported on 680 News, Holmes noted that "for all intents and purposes, Woodbine is viewed by many as a casino" and thus the track would make expanded gaming under the new OLG strategy a natural fit. Holmes went on to warn that Toronto would risk its annual $15 million share of gaming revenue from WEG if the track was forced to close.
(Standardbred Canada)