I write to encourage you all to reign in the number of simulcast machines you are contemplating in Virginia. It makes very little sense to me that we would have over 3,000 machines throughout the state to “help the horse industry.” I think the out-of-state company putting the machines is the only one winning in this scenario, and the state will not benefit as much as is presumed. Kentucky, which is the number one state for horse racing only has 1,800 machines---why would we exceed that? The horse industry is family owned and I want them to not only survive but succeed. I think they are hitching their wagon to a losing proposition here without thinking of the future. Short sighted is not the way to be when the long term goals are to sustain and grow horses in Virginia. These machines also need to be placed in localities that vote them in, but more importantly let the localities decide where to place them. You can’t just put these in depressed areas hoping for a big win. The poor shouldn’t be the ones subsidizing these machines. There needs to be local input from all localities and citizens.
Thank you,
Brittany
Brittany Corker