2005 - Harness Tracks of America, Inc.

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICAExecutive NewsletterA daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyondAnd Scientific Games Corporation has announcedthat, in a move “designed to broaden theCompany’s highly respected management team totake advantage of future growth opportunities,”Micheal Chambrello has beenappointed president and chief operating of-Stanley Paul J. Estok, F. Bergstein, Editor EditorJuly 12, 2005MAINE TRIBE TO TRY VOTERS ficer of the company. Chambrello, previouslyProponents of an Indian-operated racetrack casinoin Maine, who have twice won legislative backtiveVice President of GTECH Holdings Corp.served as president of GTECH Corp. and Execuingin recent weeks but have been unable to overcomethe objections of Gov. John Baldacci, are KY. WILL LOOK AT POSITIVESseeking to take the issue before state voters themselves.Tribal leaders submitted an application Horse Racing Authority (KHRA) Executive Di-In light of the revelations made by Kentuckywith state election officials Monday, aiming to put rector Jim Gallagher with regard to alleged positivedrug tests that were never pursued in the Blue-the question to voters in November 2006. On June23, after the Legislature adjourned, Baldacci grass State (see Exec. Newsletter of July 11), thevowed to veto a racino bill calling for a statewide KHRA has asked for an investigation by the inspectorgeneral of the Environmental and Publicreferendum. The governor vetoed a similar billwithout a referendum provision on June 9. Protection Cabinet, which oversees the Authority.Baldacci had linked acceptance of the referendummeasure to its supporters’ attainment of supermajorities of two-thirds voting approval in the legislature.The senate’s enactment vote was justshort, 21-11. Once cleared for circulation, supportersof a ballot initiative would have to submitthe requisite number of valid voter signatures byJanuary in order to get their proposal on the November2006 ballot.VLTS FAIL IN TEXAS...FOR NOWA legislative maneuver to legalize video lotteryterminals at racetracks in Texas was rejected earlythis morning. The vote by legislators came at 3:15this morning.NEW FACES AT ISLE AND SGMSIsle of Capri Casinos, owner of HTA member PompanoPark, has announced the appointment ofDuncan McKenzie as regional vice president.McKenzie will be responsible for Isle’s propertiesin Mississippi and Missouri.TRIBE SETTLES IN NEW MEXICOThe Pojoaque Pueblo Indians in New Mexico haveagreed to pay the State of New Mexico $24 millionin back casino payments in order to settle alawsuit, the state attorney general announced.Attorney General Patricia Madrid sued NewMexico tribes that operate casinos five years ago.She alleged they were violating a 1997 compactthat required them to pay 16 percent of their netslot machine revenue to the state in exchange forlimits on competition. All tribes except thePojoaque eventually settled and made payments.Revised compacts approved in 2001 require tribesto pay no more than eight percent of their slot revenue.Under the terms of the settlement agreement,Pojoaque Pueblo will sign the 2001 gamingcompacts and make its back payments in installmentsover about 12 years. The agreement stillmust be approved by a federal judge in connectionwith the lawsuit.OOPS...WHAT THE WINNER GETSYesterday’s Executive Newsletter listed the consolationprizes for the World Series of Poker, witha total prize pool for the tournament of $52.8 million,minus the house cut of $3.37 million. Whatwasn’t listed was what the winner’s share ofthe pot will be...a whopping $7.5 million.