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Massachusetts Tracks on the Brink of Survival

Posted on August 23rd, 2010

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The plight of Massachusetts’ four former greyhound racing tracks is in jeopardy. Wonderland Park, among others, is facing a dilemma on its operations after the failure on talks in Beacon Hill last week to expand the services offered by the facility. Since dog racing has been banned in the state due to a referendum by voters effective the start of 2010, the track in Revere has become a simulcast wagering parlor. Nothing came out in the gambling bill pushed last month, resulting into the facility losing the chance to bid for a license to operate slot machines, or an opportunity to be the partner of Suffolk Downs in a project to have a casino in the area.

The governor of the state, Deval Patrick said the gambling bill sent to him was something he said he would not support. He is now convincing the Legislature to reconvene and pass legislation for casinos only. On the other hand, Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein (D-Revere), who happens to be a former employee of Wonderland, divulged that residents in Revere are still in shock that the governor did not approve of the bill, which should have allowed two racetracks out of the four to operate slot machines in their offerings. Reinstein said that the residents cannot believe what the governor has done and claims that it is very sad and disappointing because his decision is affecting so many people’s lives. Dick Dalton, the president of Wonderland said that the death of the bill caused depression among the track’s employees, which currently number close to 100.The possibility of gambling in the facility had given a bit of hope to the employees, who thought it would renew interest and add income to their workplace. Dalton admits that the employees are no longer thinking long-term and that they have already resigned to the fact that Wonderland is already past its glory days.

Reinstein has indicated that there is a possibility that the facility will be closed if expanded gaming will not be granted on the four racetracks. She expressed her apprehension of the racetrack’s survival without adding gaming facilities. Dalton agreed to the possibility of shuttering in the case no agreement of gambling is approved, although he still expressed a bit of optimism, saying that there is still a possibility for the Legislature and the governor to agree on something. Without an agreement between the two parties, Dalton said that there is a huge possibility that the track will be converted to another kind of facility for another use, although he does not want to speculate what kind of facility it will be. Before the dog racing ban, Wonderland declared revenues amounting to $816,000, which was a decline of 13 percent from 2008 earnings, although still a huge amount. Dalton has been advised, though that certain payments to the state that needed to be done were not accounted for, such as the hosting fee of the state. Moreover, live harness racing performances and simulcast races were not paid by wonderland, according to the Harness Horsemen’s Association of New England.

Kevin Considine, attorney to Wonderland, passed a letter to the commission stating that all payment details are being reviewed and that Wonderland intends to fulfill its obligations. Any inquiries regarding discrepancies would be answered in a meeting on August 11.On the eve of the said meeting, Considine wrote a second letter, requesting for more time, stating that an “unforeseen development that has recently occurred.” Division of Professional Licensure director George Weber said that if Wonderland is found guilty of these allegations, it would face sanctions. Weber said that wonderland would need to present its report on the next commission meeting on September 8. Meanwhile, Suffolk Downs has also announced a 26 percent slash in their daily purses and is still facing a deficit despite of the decrease in purses, and is therefore looking for further ways to cut down on costs. The race track’s signature race, the MassCap, has not been held for two straight years now.

Patrick had said he would only be in support of one slots facility, which would have to be completed by the four race tracks – Plainridge, Raynham, Suffolk and Wonderland. After Patrick sent back the bill to th Legislature, Raynham made an announcement that the 400 workers laid off after the ban on dog racing was implemented will not be rehired. On the other hand, Plainridge made an announcement in the first week of August that 157 of its workers will be laid off. As for the revival of the gambling bill, Reinstein said they are willing, depending on a change of heart by the Senate President. Therese Murray, the senate president said the avenues for the bill’s revival appear to have been exhausted as of the moment.