Excelsior and Wynn Make Bid

Casino operator Steve Wynn has joined forces with Excelsior Racing Associates, and spent Wednesday making a bid for the horse racing franchise in New York that is currently held by the New York Racing Association. He says that horse racing is a “failed sport” and that the only conceivable thing they can do is to bring in slot machines.

They believe that slot machines will bring in people to the tracks, and by them coming in and being around the sport it will spark and interest in them and thus cultivate more patrons. They say let the slot machines be the dominant force at first, then by allowing the players to sample what horse racing has to offer – soon those same customers will be coming to see the horse racing instead of the slots.

Wynn told the panel that Excelsior had what it took to make both Aqueduct and Belmont richly endowed casinos, and this would “revitalize” racing. Wynn of course is suggesting that slot machines be legalized at Belmont, where they are currently illegal. Slot machines are only legal at Aqueduct at this time.

Governor Eliot Spitzer’s panel listened to them and others over the course of a week make their cases for taking over the racing franchise. They will then make a recommendation to the governor who will take it to the legislature and they will decide who will take over the franchise as of January 1st of next year. At this point in time, Excelsior is considered the front runner, not only because of their deep pockets, but also because they have political connections that the other groups do not.

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