Campbell Says Video Lottery Terminals an Opportunity
With horseracing tracks being helped along financially by video lottery terminals, many in the industry have come to rely on this and see it as a long-term solution. John Campbell, who is one of the greatest horsemen from Ontario, who holds the honour of being a Hall of Famer in Canada and the United States, felt that the horseracing industry needed a reality check.
Campbell was speaking in Columbus, Ailsa Craig, Ontario, at the annual awards banquet of the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association. He warned his listeners not to rely on the video lottery terminals as a permanent solution to the financial problems often experienced in the horseracing industry, but that the video lottery terminals are an opportunity.
Video Lottery Terminals are a Temporary Solution
Campbell explained: "The VLTs are an opportunity. They are an opportunity, not a right, and they can be taken away at any time. This legislation has a shelf life ? just look to Ontario as an example."
In 2012, Ontario's Slots at Racetracks programme that had been sanctioned by the provincial government was cancelled by those who had sanctioned it. The change had a negative effect on the Ontario horseracing industry at the time. Around the time that the Ontario programme ended, Ohio began its video lottery terminal programme. While all is going well with the programme at this time, Campbell wanted to remind the horseracing industry that it is important to continue to ensure that the horseracing industry stay on the good side of those politicians who have the power to continue the video lottery terminals or to remove them. To this end, the industry has been keeping the politicians aware as to how helpful the VLTs have been.
Campbell Suggests Good Use of Funds
Campbell said: "As horsemen, we can't take this phase, this new influx of money, without promoting the product. The gaming companies aren't going to promote horse racing - they've got their hands full promoting their own product. So we need to do that." He further explained: "Our number one priority should be presenting a product that is competitive and exciting and one that offers a multiple of betting options."
About Video Lottery Terminals
A video lottery terminal is very similar to a slot machine. The VLTs have become popular at 'racinos,' where horseracing and this form of casino gaming are combined. Most VLTs allow players to choose from a number of games that are available. The games are governed by random number generators. The VLTs have helped not only to fund horseracing, but have also attracted more people back to the racetracks.
