My email to the Newport Grand Casino in Rhode Island

[ALostTexan]

I am doing research on VLT's in Rhode Island, and today I stumbled upon the website for the Newport Grand Casino, which was once home to a jai alai fronton which has given way to VLT operation with simulcasting.

I noticed that they had a section on the website for simulcasting, and after reading it I felt obligated to send them a quick email to discuss their site. A copy of it is below:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I understand that in 2009 pari-mutuel wagering is not an important part of the business strategy for the Newport Grand casino as video lottery terminal operations have become the driving force behind your operations. But the section entitled "Simulcasting" on your website has many errors that only seem to enhance the unimportance of racing at your facility.

To begin, one of the most well-know horse racing venues in the United States is named "Churchill Downs". Please note that there are only 2 h's in the name, and none of them repeat.

Belmont can mean many things, from a university in Tennessee to a county in Ohio. Belmont Park, though, is a major thoroughbred racing facility in New York, home of the final leg of the Triple Crown.

During the summer Southern California has some of the best horse racing in the nation at a facility known as "Del Mar", which is located in the city of Del Mar, California. Note that it is two words, not one.

It may sound just a bit picky, but The Meadowlands is a facility in New Jersey that has top-quality harness racing as well as a portion of the Mid-Atlantic thoroughbred racing calendar, and it is only one place. Perhaps adding "The" wouldn't be too much trouble.

Finally, Turfway Park also is the correct name for the winter and spring racing facility in Northern Kentucky.

Again, I understand that simulcast wagering is not a major concern to the Newport Grand, but it has helped lay the foundation for the video lottery terminal operation at your facility, and just a bit of decency should be shown towards the sport of horse racing in the United States. I also understand that I am in no way a literary genius, but many people visiting your website to learn about your simulcasting operations may also be a bit offended at your lack of attention to these details.

I sincerely appreciate your time and attention,

I don't feel out of line, but I think it does emphasize how little pari-mutuel wagering crosses the minds of facilities such as this in 2009. We will see if the email goes anywhere.

[SuffolkGirl]

Thank you - I laughed out loud - especially the correction on Churchill...

[Scurlogue Champ]

That would be awesome if they gave a ****.

[ALostTexan]

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

That would be awesome if they gave a ****.

I completely agree. They have already shown that there is not a bit of interest in racing. But at least I got to vent a little.

[rpncaine]

Totally agree, I've sent similar e-mails to my local track (Indy Downs) to bitch about the way horseplayers are treated. They don't care. Racino's see the horstrack as a nessecary evil and ignore anything we have to say. Ikeep telling them to get wireless access. Explained that if they had it, I would actually come to the track more and not use ADW. Put it in context that if I came, my wife would come and mom too. That means we would eat in the resturants and buy drinks, they don't care. I wish I was 15 minutes from Hoosier Park instead, but thats the way it is.

[ALostTexan]

Originally Posted by rpncaine

Totally agree, I've sent similar e-mails to my local track (Indy Downs) to bitch about the way horseplayers are treated. They don't care. Racino's see the horstrack as a nessecary evil and ignore anything we have to say. Ikeep telling them to get wireless access. Explained that if they had it, I would actually come to the track more and not use ADW. Put it in context that if I came, my wife would come and mom too. That means we would eat in the resturants and buy drinks, they don't care. I wish I was 15 minutes from Hoosier Park instead, but thats the way it is.

I have to agree there. I have never been to Indiana Downs, but I was really impressed with Hoosier. I thought they took pretty good care of me, and I liked the way the promoted racing all over the casino side of the track.

[northeastbound123]

This is where I go to wager 90% of the time. Over the years I've met with the woman who owns/runs the show there, and trust me she could care less about horse racing. I must say, she is a nice woman. Over the years the betting parlor has been moved around, and most recently been put in the most remote spot in the whole building. The operation is run in such a way that if you have an interest in California racing you may need to bet in advance, do to the windows closing down early or at a certian time that night. In comparsion to the states other option for racing wagering, it is the way to go. Twin River's parlor has not been cleaned since the start of renovation of the facility years ago. Newport at least keeps the facility clean. I think I've rambled on enough, good luck with your e-mail.