OTB would help horse industry, state and local coffers

Date published: 10/8/2004

On behalf of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, I would like to respond to Linda Lumpkin's letter ["Unanswered questions abound about off-track betting," Oct. 6] and add a few comments.

First, everyone involved in breeding and racing thoroughbred horses in Virginia wants the residents of Westmoreland County to know the importance of a Colonial Downs off-track betting site.

There are more than 35,000 thoroughbred horses in Virginia, with an economic impact of more than $500 million annually. Colonial Downs' off-track betting facilities provide much-needed funding to our industry. As we work to preserve open space and the agricultural traditions associated with these horses, we appreciate Westmoreland residents' willingness to vote on this matter.

The Riverboat did not come under the auspices of the Thoroughbred Racing Association (TRA); it was under regulatory control of the Maryland Racing Commission. The Maryland Jockey Club (a Maryland-based corporation) was the business entity affiliated with the Riverboat.

Regarding memberships and co-existing, it matters not whether the Riverboat or Colonial Downs are members of the TRA. The TRA has no regulatory or financial stake in these businesses.

The Riverboat and the Colonial Downs facility could co-exist, but the competition would harm both.

The revenue generated by the Riverboat went to Maryland, and the revenue generated by a Colonial Downs facility would go to Virginia and to Westmoreland County. The facility would be regulated by the Virginia Racing Commission.

On a closing note, I see Ericka Morgan is employing scare tactics to oppose Colonial Downs' facility ["OTB critic bucks popular sentiment," Oct. 4].

Typically, opponents make comments about the "social costs" of gambling, but they rarely back these up with facts. When oppo- nents do provide statistical in- formation, it's usually related to casino gambling. Pari-mutuel wagering and casino gambling are very different, and compar- ing them is not unlike comparing roll-over rates of sedans and SUVs.

The city of Manassas Park recently asked administrators in jurisdictions where Colonial Downs operated facilities about such concerns.

The city manager reported: "There is no evidence of increased crime or other local community problems associated with the operation of satellite OTB facilities. The various OTB facilities appear to become simply another part of the local business community and are assimilated into the local economy."

Glenn Petty

Warrenton

Glenn Petty is executive director of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association.

Date published: 10/8/2004