No Slots Today
And most likely, no slots this year.
Earlier this week, news spread that Massachusetts racetracks were going for broke, urging state lawmakers to attach a proposal allowing slot machines to an uncontroversial simulcasting bill that had to be passed this fall for the state’s tracks to remain open, essentially daring gambling foes like the governor to shut the entire industry down. It was an audacious, desperate gamble. And like most longshot bets, it came to nothing.
Inklings of trouble for the proposal came yesterday when the State House schedule for Wednesday was posted. The entry for 11:00 a.m. read:
The proposed slots and simulcasting bill was no longer up for discussion as had been expected, reported Scott Van Voorhis in the Boston Herald, because:
Bosley told the Associated Press today that “he didn’t think any of the bills would win the backing of [his] committee.”
Hundreds of racetrack employees and supporters showed up at the State House this morning anyway. Dozens walked the sidewalk in front of the main entrance, carrying signs that read “4000 Jobs, $500 Million Tax Revenue” and “Suffolk Runs, the State Economy Wins.” Others handed out information sheets to passerby. Most packed into the Gardner Auditorium to applaud speakers in favor of expanded gaming.
“This is about jobs … 3500 jobs,” said Raynham dog track owner George Carney. Jockey Tammi Piermarini told the committee of the higher purses and larger field sizes she’s found riding at racetracks with slots. Senator Marc Pacheco, addressing the concerns of critics who argue that increased gambling brings increased social costs, looked around the crammed room and said to the committee, “I would ask everyone here to think about the social cost of every single one of these people losing their jobs.” For nearly three hours state politicians, horse breeders and trainers, racetrack owners and workers testified in support of legislation that was no longer under consideration.
What the crushing of the slots bill means for Massachusetts racing — particularly thoroughbred racing — isn’t hard to figure out. Suffolk Downs has been open for 70 years. Death knells have rung for the track before (it was even closed for two years in the early 1990s). But the situation seems different now. More dire. More urgent. Development vultures are circling, while attendance and handle stagnate. Slots are coming to New York thoroughbred tracks. The slot issue is very much alive in New Hampshire. After today, all that seems left to ask is, how much more time does horseracing have in Boston? One year? Two years?
Six weeks?
9/29 Addendum: I was feeling pessimistic last night, perhaps too much so. The fight isn’t over — the Boston Herald’s Scott Van Voorhis (who has done a fantastic job of breaking and staying on this story), reports this morning that the state Senate could pass a bill approving slots as early as next week. Of course, that bill would then have to pass the House and either be signed into law by the governor or have enough support among legislators to override a veto. Internal State House polling indicates that 23 or 24 of the state’s senators would support a slots bill. In the House, anywhere from 60 to 98 representatives would support some sort of expanded gaming. As as today, the numbers are there to pass such a bill, but not to overcome Romney’s likely veto. However, racetracks aren’t sparing any expense in trying to sway politicians to their side:
Suffolk Downs has hired two lobbying groups, one of which is headed by former House speaker Charles Flaherty. Wonderland dog track has hired four lobbying firms to represent its interests.
More: Suffolk Downs spokesman Christian Teja said the track was determined to survive. “It is a top priority to remain a racetrack, and expanding gaming will certainly help,” he said. “It is a critical time for Suffolk Downs and the racing industry, that’s no secret. We are going to try to survive one way or another” (Lowell Sun).
