Gothamist: City Not Seeing Any OTB Money

superfecta

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 15:41:03 -0500

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.

Bets the Horses

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 14:31:50 -0500

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.

Ponch

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 12:48:49 -0500

But Jesus, isn't it your job to save them?

JESUS CHRIST

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 12:09:53 -0500

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.

gattogrosso

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 11:24:39 -0500

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.

Austin

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 10:28:06 -0500

At least OTB provides the public service of giving the city's low-lifes a fun place to congregate.

Max

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 09:57:33 -0500

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.