Way to save track is through poker
Mike Imrem wrote in his Sunday May 8th column: “Arlington Park is worth saving.” His article repeats many of the familiar facts that we know about the horse racing industry. Yes, people need a little fun and stress relief from the rigors of daily life! The media is filled with advertisements that encourage us to play the lottery, go to casinos. You get the picture.
The argument for slots at AP has been ongoing for years and of course it could help save this beautiful place. There’s another industry that could give AP a big boost. Do you know of any other commercial enterprise that has asked to be regulated and taxed, gives freely to charitable organizations and many Presidents have adored for well over a century?
The skill game of poker has been under attack for the last few years and the online game has been virtually shut down since “Black Friday,” April 15th. Some states have started to regulate. Isn’t this an opportunity for the state of Illinois and AP to cash in? The poker community is on a mission. One only needs to browse your favorite social network/forum to view the activity.
Politicians are being alerted to the 2012 elections. There are a multitude of ideas and details to work out. One can envision the new venue at AP but that’s for another editorial; here’s a minuscule example of what can occur. The Grand Victoria has been losing heavy revenue over the last couple of years. Several times I asked their executives when they were going to start a poker room. The prevalent answer: “Never”.
Well “never” came and went. The waiting lists to obtain a seat are up to two hours even though GV takes the highest percentage rake of any casino I’ve ever visited. Know what the players waiting are doing? Throwing their buy-ins away at the nickel slots.
Dennis Arkenberg
Hoffman Estates