Warning: Optical Illusion Ahead
Which one of
these is not like the other? Tell me by the time I finish this blog…
The short of
it…Me, Atlantic City. Can’t find a racebook to place a bet to save my life! And
no, I didn’t check one casino, or two or even three. I walked as far as my very
willing and eager legs would carry me, passing multiple pedi-bicycle taxis
along the way on the boardwalk. Meaning, had I grown tired of hoofing it, I
easily could’ve grabbed a cabbie and been whisked away to any viable casino
option.
Had I known how
difficult it would be to place a bet off-track, I certainly would’ve bellied up
to my very friendly mutuel cashier inside the Turfside Terrace tent at Pimlico
on Black-Eyed Susan Day and put my money where my mouth is, then and there. I
was headed to Atlantic City though, Las Vegas’ east coast sister. How could I
not place a bet on an upcoming Triple Crown race that’s taking place in three
weeks in a CITY that depends on gambling income for survival and sustenance?
It boggles my
mind, it truly does; and not in a good way. How’s the horseracing industry
expected to survive without fans having a physical location, off-track, to
place bets? I live in Texas (If it could be a legal requirement that all Texans
be horseracing fans, I’m pretty sure the Governor or some state representative
would sign off on it.) and I still
have to drive between three and four hours to arrive at a horse track to put
money down at a live window.
Fans need
RACEBOOKS! I’d even settle for a sportsbook at this point in time. Blame New
Jersey for not allowing Atlantic City casinos to operate sportsbooks. Not that
I think any other sport compares to horseracing enough to warrant glomming
horseracing betting together with it. (Sorry football, basketball, hockey and
car racing. Don’t even get me started on baseball or golf. Can a girl even bet
on those sports?) Thoroughbreds are in a league of their own.
I want to place
a bet on California Chrome, I really do! He’s going for Triple Crown glory, an
accomplishment not met since Affirmed in 1978. When Cali C crosses that finish
line in front of the herd, I’d like to celebrate knowing I did my part to make
his effort worthwhile.
As proof of my
determined efforts to find a book in Atlantic City [New Jersey], I offer up exactly
where I pounded pavement in search of my horse heaven by the ocean.
- The Trump Taj where I stayed had a racebook until recently closing it. The sign above their poker room still lists “Racingbook” as an option for entertainment as of May 19, 2014.
- The helpful, courteous security man at Revel informed me that he thought one book was left on the boardwalk but didn’t know where. Definitely not the Revel.
- The Showboat, no racebook and no explanation as to when or why one was dissolved if it ever existed.
- No racebook at Ballys, no idea why. It’s Ballys, hello. And I’m in Atlantic City! Gambling anyone?
- Caesars Palace informed me that the closest location to place a bet in a race OR SPORTSbook would be Harrah’s casino IN PHILADELPHIA. Pennsylvania! That’s a whole other state.
- At Trump Plaza, up the boardwalk, I was informed by the floor manager that the Trump Taj had a racebook but the Plaza does not.
- The Trump Taj DOES NOT have an active racebook.
- And finally, the security manager on duty at the Tropicana was indeed informative, I just didn’t like what he had to say…the only racebook left on the strip was in Revel.
- Don’t run to REVEL, they DO NOT have one!
As tragically comical as I would find this reality did I not actually want to place a bet on the fabulous and very exciting Belmont Stakes, if the various casinos don’t even know where to send me to hand over my wad of cash so that they can, essentially, do nothing whatsoever besides TAKE MY WAD OF CASH and PERHAPS pay me a bit in return LATER, I can certainly understand why the horseracing industry is grappling with survival.
Fans need
Racebooks, Sportsbooks and Racetracks. This idea that today’s horseracing fan
doesn’t have the time or inclination to attend a day at the races and bet on
horses is simply not true. I have many friends who enjoy spending their time at
the track as well as watching the horses run. It’s fun. And exciting.
Maybe today’s
horseracing [gambling] industry doesn’t turn as high a profit as general casino
slot machines or card tables but when has it ever? Please somebody, give me a
year. Comparing the two sources for profit is like saying a puny goldfish pulled
from a pet store aquarium is going to offer up the same lavish capability for
delicious sushi that an exquisite, healthy yellow tail would. Not going to
happen no matter how much you wish for it.
For casinos to close
race or sportsbooks and deny loyal, passionate horseracing fans opportunities to
continue following a beautiful sport, they must not care whether or not the
horseracing industry survives another century.
If England can
maintain a healthy industry, why can’t the United States?