Straight from the horse-racing fan's mouth: Those on the rail at Tristate racetracks say they want electronic gambling in Ohio and Kentucky.

        They're watching as No. 768 comes down the stretch. That is, Kentucky House Bill 768, which calls for electronic gambling at Kentucky's eight racetracks and has less than three weeks to pass.

Robert “Spivey” Cliff of Villa Hills, a Turfway regular, hopes Kentucky's General Assembly allows electronic gambling at tracks. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        Similar bills have been proposed in Ohio, but Gov. Bob Taft has said he would not sign a bill authorizing expanded gambling.

        Kentucky's Horse Industry Coalition, a newly formed industry association, is pushing for electronic gambling because of competition from Indiana's casino riverboats and tracks in other states where fans are drawn by video gambling. “The boats are like to ruin this track,” said Robert “Spivey” Cliff, 66, a daily Turfway visitor and slot machine proponent who is headed to Las Vegas on Wednesday.

        J.J. Deutschle of Oakley, at Turfway for the first time, said he goes to the riverboats a few times a year but would switch to Turfway if the track got electronic gambling.

        “It would be less crowded and a little more convenient than the boats,” Mr. Deutschle said.

        His friend, Chris Frost of Florence, said he goes to Turfway two or three times a year but that he would visit monthly if video gambling were offered.

        Racing fans on the other side of the river are watching Kentucky closely.

        Sean Beirne, assistant general manager for River Downs racetrack in Anderson Township, estimates that River Downs' betting has fallen 10 percent compared with Turfway's 43 percent drop.

        Mr. Beirne said the real threat to Ohio racing would come if Kentucky legalized electronic gambling, and Ohio did not.

        “If they get it, we cannot compete equally,” Mr. Beirne said. “If our legislation does not answer likewise, it's a possibility that we could go down the tubes — a strong possibility.”

        “If you had the combination it would bring everybody out,” said Arnie Trombly of Mount Carmel. “It'll keep people in their neighborhoods and would bring a fortune to the area.”

        Hugh McQueary of Taylor Mill said the racing industry's problem is oversaturation of tracks themselves and that he would not support electronic gambling.

        “I can't see any good in it,” said Mr. McQueary, visiting River Downs. “They try to give you the same garbage they gave you when they tried to get the lottery here — better roads, better schools. All it does is take people's money.”

        Kentucky's Citizens Against Gambling Expansion, started by local religious leaders, maintains a similar stance that the state would be making money off the poor if electronic gambling were allowed. It says slot machines create twice as many problem gamblers as any other form of gambling, and the group is lobbying hard in Frankfort to keep House Bill 768 from passing.

        But others are philosophical about the issue's wider implications.

        “If you're allowed to purchase stock, which is a big gamble, why is it ethical to do one and not the other?” asked Dave Heath, a River Downs patron.

        “Ohio's stupid as hell as far as I'm concerned,” said Bill Coffey of Cincinnati, who visits River Downs every day except Sunday.

        “You're not curbing the addiction or preventing the addiction, you're just giving away your tax dollars” by not expanding gambling in the state, he said.

        Bob Elliston, Turfway president, said in three years, electronic gambling would propel Turfway, which awards an average daily purse of $175,000, from a national ranking of 15 or 20 into sixth place.

        “The riverboat closest to us, Argosy, happens to be the highest-revenue boat in the United States,” Mr. Elliston said.

        “The marketplace has clearly demonstrated that it wants this kind of entertainment. Will we be operating on the margins that we are today if nothing changes? Probably not,” Mr. Elliston said.

        If House Bill 768 does not pass, Mr. Elliston said, the coalition will continue to talk about track needs and pursue electronic gambling.
       

Area families of victims savor moments
Gun at the bus stop: Dad on trial
Police back to walking Over-the-Rhine streets
Racetrack fans favor electronic gambling
Tristate blown away by cold front
Churches focus on AIDS among African-Americans
Donation to GOP challenged
Minority labor shortage likely
Sinn Fein president visits N. Ky. cathedral
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Three myths
CROWLEY: Kentucky Politics
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Victim's mom:
SMITH AMOS: Racial gaps
FBI looking for heist clues
Evolution foes target Ohio
Battle site targeted for preservation
Kenton sends tax refunds, slowly
UK honors Loretta Lynn