FanBase Mis-Management? - Pace and Cap

bobbyb · 12-13-2006, 09:33 AM

As reported by TbN member Harlan Abbey/St. Catharines Standard

Because of a 30 percent decline in slot machine revenue, Fort Erie management -- after discussing the situation with officers of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Assn. (HBPA) -- has decided to cut 20 dates off the 2007 racing calendar.
The Ontario Racing Commission will consider the request for 84 programs, compared to 104 days of racing in both 2005 and 2006.
With slot machine income providing 75 percent of race purses, the other alternative was to cut race purses 30 percent. So in '07 there be less racing, but purses will remain the same.
The proposed season will open May 5 (Kentucky Derby Saturday) and close Oct. 30. However, except for opening day, racing will be held only on Mondays and Tuesday during the month of May. Sundays would be added in June, with Saturdays added only for July and August -- except for closing weekend.

IMO this is the result of GREED!
Within 20 minutes drive to this beautiful track - You have an International Border; Niagara Falls Tourist Mecca; and a too draw from population of 3million est. during the months of late May, June, July, August, early September - and the numbers are down 30% (?). The Track did spend $$$ to install a new dirt surface + upgrades just a couple of years ago yet they seem to have forgotten the most important element - The FAN. The advertisments say it all - "Slots @ Fort Erie" - the word Racetrack has been omitted.

Is this a harbinger of possible doom for other SLOT Tracks?

During my visits to FE this year I saw few players 20 to 40ish - just the same o'l same o'l. And I thought (naive I guess) that our sport was progressive. There answer to increase attendance this year was a HOT DOG DAY. Crap. How about Free Programs, Rebates (now that's a dirty word), Hell, give away a car, attract the younger Fans by staging concerts weekly - nope, nada....

And to make matters worst for this INEPT management team, a new facility will open in Erie soon, albiet, not TBreds, and those American Fans that populated FE will migrate to that new venue.
Fort Erie had a lot going for it, but this group's vision IMO had nothing do with the sounds of hooves - but the sounds of bells and whistles! GREED! And guess what folks, the horsemen are going along with this (????).

This isn't hindsight on my part, and yep I'm pi**ed - it's just plain street smarts - ya'll know the stuff they don't teach - to reach a younger generation and improve your numbers you have think YOUNG - Slots - think RETIRED.

bobby

MIKE · 12-13-2006, 10:18 AM

You're dead right Bobby!!----it sucks

But Fort Erie slots has the problem of competing against Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino in Canada, and Seneca Niagara and the new Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in the U.S.

Pull your pants up---they're flooding the market!!!

bobbyb · 12-13-2006, 12:04 PM

Your right Mike - It does Suck!!

I guess I'm just getting tired and having to play from home is not much fun when I have an OTB (and some friends) 20 minutes away. Problem is at this particular OTB, the room is shared with dining patrons/those who want a beverage away from the 1800+slot machines. Another little problem with this particular OTB is that the management team is comprised of those who operate Penn Gaming i.e. Penn National. The few diehards that remain at the OTB (numbers are down significantly from just 5 years ago)(If I were to guess perhaps 50%) are still holding out hope that this management team will provide a separate room for racing - (6 years into their management contract and they have done NOTHING) ya right, and when that happens I'll be looking either down or up, lol.......

How ironic - shorty after the Casino opening, an OTB was lauded as a smart move on the part of the prior management. The whole premise behind the OTB was to give those patrons, mainly Males, something to do other than SLOTS. But with NO changes, a poorly designed room for viewing and wagering, limited seating, loud music and a concrete pillar 2' x 2' - 4' in front of 2 only wagering windows, and 1 SAM machine (people lined up like a snake dance and still do)(In some way I feel for the patrons who are just there for a meal, having some moron screeming/swearing/ in there ears over some nag is no fun and a turnoff for a lot of people - maybe that's why any association with racing/wagering in some minds relates to people from the bottom of the society barrel). It offers nothing in the way of an opportunity to share in a most exciting sport, for anyone.

Just this past weekend, one of the Casino Buffet restaurants closed for Renov's and guess where they were directed - It was almost impossible to wager let alone stand up.
Sad but True - and remember this Team is Penn Gaming (?????????).

Memo to the Greedy: The Future of Racing is our Youth, and Racing WAS the vehicle that made the influx of Casino's possible, less we forget.

bobby

12-13-2006, 09:33 AM	#1
bobbyb NewBegining Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 15	FanBase Mis-Management? As reported by TbN member Harlan Abbey/St. Catharines Standard Because of a 30 percent decline in slot machine revenue, Fort Erie management -- after discussing the situation with officers of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Assn. (HBPA) -- has decided to cut 20 dates off the 2007 racing calendar. The Ontario Racing Commission will consider the request for 84 programs, compared to 104 days of racing in both 2005 and 2006. With slot machine income providing 75 percent of race purses, the other alternative was to cut race purses 30 percent. So in '07 there be less racing, but purses will remain the same. The proposed season will open May 5 (Kentucky Derby Saturday) and close Oct. 30. However, except for opening day, racing will be held only on Mondays and Tuesday during the month of May. Sundays would be added in June, with Saturdays added only for July and August -- except for closing weekend. IMO this is the result of GREED! Within 20 minutes drive to this beautiful track - You have an International Border; Niagara Falls Tourist Mecca; and a too draw from population of 3million est. during the months of late May, June, July, August, early September - and the numbers are down 30% (?). The Track did spend $$$ to install a new dirt surface + upgrades just a couple of years ago yet they seem to have forgotten the most important element - The FAN. The advertisments say it all - "Slots @ Fort Erie" - the word Racetrack has been omitted. Is this a harbinger of possible doom for other SLOT Tracks? During my visits to FE this year I saw few players 20 to 40ish - just the same o'l same o'l. And I thought (naive I guess) that our sport was progressive. There answer to increase attendance this year was a HOT DOG DAY. Crap. How about Free Programs, Rebates (now that's a dirty word), Hell, give away a car, attract the younger Fans by staging concerts weekly - nope, nada.... And to make matters worst for this INEPT management team, a new facility will open in Erie soon, albiet, not TBreds, and those American Fans that populated FE will migrate to that new venue. Fort Erie had a lot going for it, but this group's vision IMO had nothing do with the sounds of hooves - but the sounds of bells and whistles! GREED! And guess what folks, the horsemen are going along with this (????). This isn't hindsight on my part, and yep I'm pi**ed - it's just plain street smarts - ya'll know the stuff they don't teach - to reach a younger generation and improve your numbers you have think YOUNG - Slots - think RETIRED. bobby

12-13-2006, 10:18 AM	#2
MIKE Grade 1 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 196	You're dead right Bobby!!----it sucks But Fort Erie slots has the problem of competing against Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino in Canada, and Seneca Niagara and the new Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in the U.S. Pull your pants up---they're flooding the market!!!

12-13-2006, 12:04 PM	#3
bobbyb NewBegining Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 15	Your right Mike - It does Suck!! I guess I'm just getting tired and having to play from home is not much fun when I have an OTB (and some friends) 20 minutes away. Problem is at this particular OTB, the room is shared with dining patrons/those who want a beverage away from the 1800+slot machines. Another little problem with this particular OTB is that the management team is comprised of those who operate Penn Gaming i.e. Penn National. The few diehards that remain at the OTB (numbers are down significantly from just 5 years ago)(If I were to guess perhaps 50%) are still holding out hope that this management team will provide a separate room for racing - (6 years into their management contract and they have done NOTHING) ya right, and when that happens I'll be looking either down or up, lol....... How ironic - shorty after the Casino opening, an OTB was lauded as a smart move on the part of the prior management. The whole premise behind the OTB was to give those patrons, mainly Males, something to do other than SLOTS. But with NO changes, a poorly designed room for viewing and wagering, limited seating, loud music and a concrete pillar 2' x 2' - 4' in front of 2 only wagering windows, and 1 SAM machine (people lined up like a snake dance and still do)(In some way I feel for the patrons who are just there for a meal, having some moron screeming/swearing/ in there ears over some nag is no fun and a turnoff for a lot of people - maybe that's why any association with racing/wagering in some minds relates to people from the bottom of the society barrel). It offers nothing in the way of an opportunity to share in a most exciting sport, for anyone. Just this past weekend, one of the Casino Buffet restaurants closed for Renov's and guess where they were directed - It was almost impossible to wager let alone stand up. Sad but True - and remember this Team is Penn Gaming (?????????). Memo to the Greedy: The Future of Racing is our Youth, and Racing WAS the vehicle that made the influx of Casino's possible, less we forget. bobby