Requiem for Illinois Racing

[billk5300s]

Good Morning All,

I realize that most of you are east coast players but I wanted to take a minute to share some news from Illinois.  As of 1/1/2014 ADW wagering will be illegal once again in Illinois because the legislators bolted without passing an extension.  The local tracks warned that they will run a skeleton schedule if ADW was not passed. Arlington would have only 49 live dates and Hawthorn would only have 15 live dates.  Whether the tracks go through with this remains to be seen but many of us believe that this may be the end of live racing in Illinois.  The governor is against allowing slots at the tracks and appears to not care if the state loses revenue and the jobs associated with the horse racing industry.

Wishing all of you the best for a healthy and prosperous 2014!!!

Bill K

[miff]

Bill,

Too many Governors are willing to throw racing under the bus in favor of slot/poker/casinos type gambling, more money.The fact that many regular people will lose their livelihoods does not seem to matter much.

Like it or not,consolidation of racing is closer than ever.The NYRA privatization situation,or not,will shape a good portion of the game going forward.

If it goes the right way,players will be gambling into monster sized pools,with better quality runners,which me thinks will help in the long run.

Mike

[Marlin]

Damn, again!  
Seems it is time for the Illinois tracks to put pig/hog production farms on those properties, or at least on the perimeter to stink up the neighborhoods.  These track properties are zoned agricultural, so all legal & would make a statement to Springfield.  Get the local neighbors all pissed off about hog farming in their back yards!   The gang is Springfield won\'t address tough issues, but have no problem finding time to declare days like \"Speak Like Shakespeare Day in Illinois\".  Saw Gov. Quinn on the TV last year proclaiming that day & almost shit my pants!  We have no problem putting Governors in prison or bankrupting the state either.  
NOT GOOD, but we are dealing with idiots/crooks.

[jmh384]

not on top of ill racing problems but i do know wherever you live politicians are not idiots. but most assuredly crooks