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Emerald Downs Wants Account Wagering by Phone18 September 2001AUBURN, Washington –Sept. 18, 2001 --As reported by the Seattle Times: "Ron Crockett, saying he and his fellow Emerald Downs' investors `are completely committed to staying the course,' is preparing to fight back in an effort to capture a greater share of gambling dollars being wagered in the state. "Crockett, Emerald Downs president responsible for building the six-year-old racetrack as a replacement for Longacres, yesterday said he will seek a change in state law that would allow account wagering by telephone. The practice, legal in several states including Oregon and California, is illegal in Washington. "…Crockett said. `We're losing (potential) revenue from phone bets being made by Washingtonians.' "Horse racing has been hurt significantly by the proliferation of other forms of gambling in the state since Longacres closed in 1992. "…For the second straight year, Emerald Downs, which completed its 91-day sixth season last night, experienced a decline in the amount of money wagered on its product. The average daily handle from all sources (live races, simulcast races, in-state satellite outlets and the selling of Emerald races to out-of-state simulcast sites) was $1,117,701, down 7.3 percent from last year's average for 96 days of $1,205,943…" |