Adding Slots to Racetracks

Pari-mutuel betting facilities like horse and dog racetracks and jai-alai centers are finding that the only way to survive is through adding slot machines. Many states are finding the introduction of slot machines into the state at racetracks eases the transition. Since the racetracks are already accustomed to betting on the horse and dog races, slot machines are just one more gambling opportunity.

But for the “racinos” (the term for slot machines casinos at racetracks), the slot machines are the only way they are able to sustain the revenue necessary to operate the racetrack. Over the past decade, many of the racetracks across the state suffer from lower purses and less interest in the industry. Once a state introduces slot machines however, the racino is then able to compete with neighboring states that may also have slot machines at their racetracks.

When slot machines are operating at a racetrack, not only does the racetrack benefit from a huge increase in patrons, but the racetrack also gets a percentage of the slot machines revenue to go toward bettering the racetrack. Once the revenue begins to flow into a racino, the breeding and quality of horses and dogs generally increases. The purse size will often increase dramatically, and the racetrack has many more diverse patrons betting on the races.

The addition of slot machines to an existing facility also benefits the casino running the slot machines. They often use an existing part of the racetrack to house the temporary slot machines facility—then they have the time and the incoming revenue to support building the casino portion of the racetrack. And another benefit—of the anti-slot machines groups do not protest as much when the slot machines are only being added to the racetracks as there is already gambling occurring.



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