HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICAExecutive NewsletterA daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyondStanley F. Bergstein, EditorThursday, December 2, 2010IL SENATE OKS TRACK SLOTSThe Illinois state Senate, by a 31-20 vote,yesterday approved a huge gambling expansionbill including slots at tracks anda casino in Chicago. The champagne wasbeing chilled, but there were no corkspopping just yet, for the House took noaction and the governor is opposed to theidea. The bill also includes five new stateregulatedcasinos and a thousand additionalgame positions, 400 immediatelyand 600 more in 2013, for the nine casinosalready operating in the state. The scaleof the upsizing could work against thebill’s chances, governor Pat Quinn sayinghe had not yet seen it but it “soundedtop-heavy,” and some Republican Housemembers calling it “gigantic, a huge package.”The bill’s sponsor, Democratic SenatorTerry Link, did not deny that, butsaid, “We’ve got a huge deficit...a hugeproblem. You don’t look at little things tofix it. You look at big things.”NYCOTB DOWN TO 24 HOURSThe New York City Off-Track BettingCorporation was at the brink again today,after its board of directors voted unanimouslyyesterday to close down operationstomorrow. The “unless” this timewas unless the state Senate returned to Albanyand voted to approve the governor’soperational plan -- he would not call it abailout -- approved this week by the Assembly.Senators walked out of thespecial session in Albany, and arenot likely to return before Dec. 15.DANCER WANT EXPANDED ADWNew Jersey state Assemblyman Ron Dancer,co-sponsor of a bill to save harness racingin the state, is proposing to open upadvanced deposit wagering in the state toout-of-state residents. Only New Jerseyanscan use ADW currently, but Dancerand co-sponsor John Burzichelli thinkopening it to out-of-staters could raisemillions and help the Sports and ExpositionAuthority that operates the Meadowlandsmove toward self-sufficiency.TRACK EXECS - LEND A HANDHTA’s Jen Foley has prepared and distributedprogram and race office ads invarious sizes for our Groom of the Yearaward. One appears below. Your help ingetting them used would be appreciated.Do you know a groom whodeserves special recognitionfor outstanding work?Nominate him or her for theHarness Tracks of America &Hanover Shoe FarmsGroomof the Year AwardTo nominate a groom all you need to do is write a detailedletter explaining why the groom is deserving of the honorof Groom of the Year. Send with this letter the followinginformation:• Groom’s name, address, phone number,and windbreaker jacket size• Your name, address, and phone numberMail, e-mail or fax all information to:Harness Tracks of America4640 East Sunrise Dr., #200Tucson, AZ 85718E-mail: jen@harnesstracks.comFax: (520) 529-3235All grooms nominated will receive a certificate ofexcellence and the first 50 nominations will also receivean embroidered HTA/Hanover Shoe Farms jacket.Deadline for nominations isDecember 31, 2010