Post by CampWhippet on May 23, 2006 19:39:57 GMT -5
Greyhound Park's OTB privileges in jeopardy after bill passes House
South Tucson icon may lose wagers to out-of-town tracks
By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.23.2006
PHOENIX — Tucson Greyhound Park, a South Tucson landmark for more than 60 years, could be forced to shut down if a proposed change in state wagering law is approved.
Chris McConnell, general manager of the dog racing facility in South Tucson, said a measure given preliminary House approval Monday would end the track's exclusive right to operate off-track betting on horse racing in Pima County, both at the dog track and at nine satellite locations.
The change, he said, would let two out-of-town horse tracks open their own OTB locations, and cut the local track out of $15 million to $17 million in betting action a year.
Without the $800,000 in net proceeds those wagers bring in, McConnell said the Tucson track could not survive.
John Mangum, who lobbies for Turf Paradise, said he doubts the change would force Tucson Greyhound Park to shut down.
But even if it's true, Mangum said the alternative is far more drastic. If Turf Paradise and Yavapai Downs can't run their own off-track betting operations — and get the revenues — it could end horse racing entirely in Arizona.
He said the change also would benefit Rillito Downs in Tucson.
The proposal worries officials in South Tucson, where the track is the largest property taxpayer. In a letter to legislators, City Manager Fernando Castro said track revenues are needed for police and fire protection, public works programs as well as for city administration.
And Castro said the park also provides employment opportunities to community members.
"Many of our most prominent residents proudly point to the Tucson Greyhound Park as their first employer, working as dog handlers, concessions and other positions," he wrote.
But the letter, and opposition led by Rep. Jonathan Paton, R-Tucson, had little effect, as the House rejected Paton's effort to block the offending provision on a 28-19 vote.
Horse and dog tracks get much of their revenue from off-track betting. The Arizona tracks send their signals to other states where people can wager; they also take wagers at tracks and OTB locations here on those out-of-state races.
Mangum said what has happened is that tracks in the Midwest and New Mexico now are offering larger purses to winning horses. They can do that because these tracks also have slot machines to supplement their income, something prohibited in Arizona.
The result is fewer horses willing to race in Arizona, undermining not only wagering on Arizona races but also the jobs in raising and racing horses here.
"We are basically, purposely attempting to drive a Pima County business out of business for the benefit of businesses in Maricopa County," said Rep. Tom Prezelski, D-Tucson. "The issue here is attempting to drive Tucson out of business and further make Tucson a colony of Phoenix."
Prezelski also said it is misleading to say the change would keep Rillito Downs in business. He said there is a move to convert that facility, which has only a handful of racing dates each year, to a multiuse facility, perhaps without any horse racing at all.
Not all Southern Arizona legislators sided with Paton and Prezelski. Rep. Marian Mc-Clure, R-Tucson, said she wants to preserve horse racing in Arizona and will do whatever is necessary for that.
Mangum also disputed claims by Tucson Greyhound Park of financial ruin if it loses the off-track betting money. He said financial statements filed by park owners show they have paid themselves an average of $1.5 million a year over the last decade.
Jack LaSota, lobbyist for the dog track, said he didn't know the historic figures but said that for the last full year, which reflects current financial conditions, the owners took a combined $340,000. LaSota said the higher figures reflect the days before tribal gaming when revenue figures for all forms of racing were higher.
www.azstarnet.com/metro/130365
South Tucson icon may lose wagers to out-of-town tracks
By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.23.2006
PHOENIX — Tucson Greyhound Park, a South Tucson landmark for more than 60 years, could be forced to shut down if a proposed change in state wagering law is approved.
Chris McConnell, general manager of the dog racing facility in South Tucson, said a measure given preliminary House approval Monday would end the track's exclusive right to operate off-track betting on horse racing in Pima County, both at the dog track and at nine satellite locations.
The change, he said, would let two out-of-town horse tracks open their own OTB locations, and cut the local track out of $15 million to $17 million in betting action a year.
Without the $800,000 in net proceeds those wagers bring in, McConnell said the Tucson track could not survive.
John Mangum, who lobbies for Turf Paradise, said he doubts the change would force Tucson Greyhound Park to shut down.
But even if it's true, Mangum said the alternative is far more drastic. If Turf Paradise and Yavapai Downs can't run their own off-track betting operations — and get the revenues — it could end horse racing entirely in Arizona.
He said the change also would benefit Rillito Downs in Tucson.
The proposal worries officials in South Tucson, where the track is the largest property taxpayer. In a letter to legislators, City Manager Fernando Castro said track revenues are needed for police and fire protection, public works programs as well as for city administration.
And Castro said the park also provides employment opportunities to community members.
"Many of our most prominent residents proudly point to the Tucson Greyhound Park as their first employer, working as dog handlers, concessions and other positions," he wrote.
But the letter, and opposition led by Rep. Jonathan Paton, R-Tucson, had little effect, as the House rejected Paton's effort to block the offending provision on a 28-19 vote.
Horse and dog tracks get much of their revenue from off-track betting. The Arizona tracks send their signals to other states where people can wager; they also take wagers at tracks and OTB locations here on those out-of-state races.
Mangum said what has happened is that tracks in the Midwest and New Mexico now are offering larger purses to winning horses. They can do that because these tracks also have slot machines to supplement their income, something prohibited in Arizona.
The result is fewer horses willing to race in Arizona, undermining not only wagering on Arizona races but also the jobs in raising and racing horses here.
"We are basically, purposely attempting to drive a Pima County business out of business for the benefit of businesses in Maricopa County," said Rep. Tom Prezelski, D-Tucson. "The issue here is attempting to drive Tucson out of business and further make Tucson a colony of Phoenix."
Prezelski also said it is misleading to say the change would keep Rillito Downs in business. He said there is a move to convert that facility, which has only a handful of racing dates each year, to a multiuse facility, perhaps without any horse racing at all.
Not all Southern Arizona legislators sided with Paton and Prezelski. Rep. Marian Mc-Clure, R-Tucson, said she wants to preserve horse racing in Arizona and will do whatever is necessary for that.
Mangum also disputed claims by Tucson Greyhound Park of financial ruin if it loses the off-track betting money. He said financial statements filed by park owners show they have paid themselves an average of $1.5 million a year over the last decade.
Jack LaSota, lobbyist for the dog track, said he didn't know the historic figures but said that for the last full year, which reflects current financial conditions, the owners took a combined $340,000. LaSota said the higher figures reflect the days before tribal gaming when revenue figures for all forms of racing were higher.
www.azstarnet.com/metro/130365
