"Despite the economic downturn in the U.S. casino business, the horse racing industry continues reaching out to it as a life preserver.

The common synergies are undeniable. If the citizenry doesn't want a casino anywhere near them, then put the slot machines at a racetrack, which already offers legal gambling, creating what is called a racino.

The latest marriage between racetrack and casino could occur in New York between Belmont Park and the Shinnecock Indians on Long Island. It bears watching because the scenario is something I've been suggesting for California racing to do for the past five years or so.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Visualize the tribes, the racetracks and the governor working together and putting the extra slots at the racetracks for the benefit of all. That sharing the new revenue three ways is a lot better than fighting amongst one another to get 100 percent of nothing."

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RICHARD ENG: California should try track-casino marriage (The Las Vegas Review-Journal 12/18)