July 25, 2006
City Not Seeing Any OTB Money
Huh, it seems that the New York City Off the Track Betting establishments haven't been giving NYC any revenues lately. Which is weird, because when we pass by them, there are people standing around outside as well as inside. City Comptroller William Thompson released a report showing that NY State has been distributing much of the revenues to race tracks and breeders, but not back to the city. In fact, it's projected that city OTBs will be losing money starting next year. What's interesting is that, as the Post points out, state Comptroller Alan Hevesi has been saying the same for three years, which makes us wonder what the hell the State legislature and Governor Pataki are doing. Scratch that - we knew they weren't doing anything at all. We wonder if the city can raise rents in order to make some money.
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It is called a kick-back scheme.
Sort of wish Hevesi had a bit more charm- he certainly has the brains top be a great public servant. And is- just needs more juice I guess.
At least OTB provides the public service of giving the city's low-lifes a fun place to congregate.
We have an OTB site in the east 50s that has luxury condo buildings growing up all around it.
Whenever I walk by I half expect Starsky and Hutch to pull up to the curb for a powwow with Huggy Bear.
it makes me so sad everytime I pass by one of these OTB's and see the lifeless zombies who have abandoned all hope and waste their miserable existences in there.
But Jesus, isn't it your job to save them?
Yeah, most OTBs are gross, but Inside Track (2nd ave in the 50s) and Yankee Clipper (John & Water streets) are very nice places with OTBs inside. They get packed on big race days but a fun place to have some food, drink and meet other pony players while placing some bets. I was raised in an OTB so I really appreciate these places.
NY OTBs are not very nice for the most part, although some of the restaurant ones are not too bad. We've recently moved to PA, where they are really rather wonderful -- for the occasional bettor like me, it's nice to be able to walk in to place my bet without having to navigate through the winos.
It can be done well -- but that is probably beyond the skills of current NYRA management.