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Indiana Downs closing Evansville off-track site

Associated Press
April 13, 2012
Keywords
Arts & Entertainment, etc., Casinos, Gambling, Horse Tracks
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An off-track, pari-mutuel betting parlor in Evansville is set to close as the central Indiana-based company that owns it remains in bankruptcy protection.

The off-track site owned by Indiana Downs of Shelbyville will be shut down June 10, television station WFIE reported.

Indiana Downs officials had complained about the off-track site not being exempted from the city's smoking ban ordinance at a time when it faces greater competition from Ellis Park horse track in nearby Henderson, Ky.

Indianapolis Downs LLC, which also owns the Indiana Live casino near Shelbyville and a Clarksville OTB, filed for bankruptcy protection in April 2011.

Evansville OTB patron Ron Reutter said he believed it had struggled against Ellis Park, partly because it can simulcast Kentucky races.

"The business has been down with Ellis opening up and they are supposed to get slot machines and they can get the Kentucky signal, and that's the biggest attraction for horse bettors around here," Reutter said.

Phone messages left by The Associated Press on Friday for Indiana Downs officials weren't immediately returned.

Evansville's smoking ban, which went effect April 1, exempts the Casino Aztar gambling floor, but applies to all bars and private clubs in the city, along with the Indiana Downs OTB.

The owner of central Indiana's other horse track and casino — Hoosier Park in Anderson — emerged from bankruptcy protection in October. Both operations have struggled since borrowing heavily to pay $250 million state licensing fees to add slot machines and other electronic games in 2008.

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  1. If a television station wants to improve viewership, get rid of the local blackout. I was born by the brickyard, and have attended 15 or more races. I have children now, I won't attend unless circumstances are perfect. As those with growing families know, they never are. I'm always impressed that upwards of 250,000 people attend the 500. However, as a growing, or, more apt, sprawling city, Indianapolis and its immediate suburbs count almost 2.2 million. Show the race live, let the venue get a kick-back on revenues, and open-wheel racing might have a fighting chance to be relevant again. Just in time for those tax-payer lights to make sense.

  2. John Moore, I too have had the same issue recently. A property next to my house was on the Land Bank and I was interested in purchasing. When I tried to contact Reggie, I got back emails that had nothing to do with what I asked about. Actually my latest response from him was on this past Friday. I had asked about how to buy the property and if it was still available. His response to me was to contact the mayor's office to get the schedule of his appearances. (???) Hopefully the city is able to do something to fix what this guy has done, it would be nice if they would take the properties back and sell them properly so land owners like me and you mother would have a fair chance.

  3. I too work in the industry, with over 25 years of experience and your political spin has probably nothing to do with any rebranding. "Let's dress it up" would have nothing to do with the government "telling us how and what to eat." Give it a political rest. And being a producer for a radio show doesn't mean you've been involved in advertising and branding for 30 years.

  4. Ms. Morris did not understand the ways of the business world, otherwise, like the IMS, she could have petitioned the State Legislature for a handout of State Funds for her charity work. Ms. Morris should consider becoming a state lobbyist for Lemonade Stand Operators.

  5. David Copperfield!

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