The big story for 2013, may have happened north of the border in Canada. The OLG (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission) has revised their plans for the future, which doesn't seem to include casinos in existing Ontario Race Tracks. Kawartha Downs a harness track has already gone out of business and venerable Fort Erie was stripped of it's slot machines, and has for now barely escaped the wrecking ball. I know it's Canada, but the same sentiments to uncouple casinos from racetracks are being echoed in the states.
As for the states, California has got to be the top story, where Hollywood Park, which hosted the first Breeders Cup has been sold off for development. Can you imagine The Hollywood Gold Cup running at Fairplex. To make matters worst Golden Gate Fields, would gladly have fallen on it's sword if it had been selected as the site for a Cal-Tech expansion project.
Ohio would be the next stop where all seven of it's tracks are being converted to racinos. Three tracks are being relocated while the others were upgraded on their original sites. Thistledown the states largest thoroughbred track may still decide to move. In Ohio casino were also built in most major cities where race tracks are.
New York, is also facing a similar situation as stand alone casino gaming is gaining traction in the Empire State.
Massachusetts has also approved three casinos in the state, Suffolk Downs and Plainridge are both trying to secure one of the licenses, but keep running into obstacles. Both tracks could probably close if they fail in their bid to secure a racino.
Florida has returned to the days of turf wars, with Gulfstream Park in the middle again. In what could be Magna's last stand, they appear to be trying to run Calder Race Course out of town. Hialeah who lost the last battle withdrew it's plan to return to thoroughbred racing, content for now with the quarter horses.
New Jersey racing continues to struggle a new smaller, friendlier, facility was built at the Meadowlands as it attempts to cling to life. Monmouth Park is doing most of the heavy lifting after it too was abandoned by the state.
Maryland has reached an agreement to keep Laurel and Pimlico racetracks in business for a few more years, still no sign of casino wagering for either. For now Ocean Downs is the only racino in the state.
Delaware which started the whole racino thing on the East Coast seems to be slipping a bit, their purse value index is the lowest around and the Delaware Park meet ran a lot of short fields.
Illinois sounds like they could be close to getting casinos at their tracks, whether that matters at this point in time, who knows? Arlington Park looks like it still doing ok.
Kentucky still hasn't approved casino style gaming, but Kentucky Downs has won it's fight to present instant racing a video game format which uses previous run races. Churchill and Keeneland probably have no worries, but Turfway Park will have to deal with Ohio gaming.
Nebraska still has Fonner Park and Columbus still conducting live meets. In Lincoln a new facility has been started with simulcasting, but no sign of live racing there.
New Hampshire lost another bid to legalize gaming defeated keeping Rockingham Park, the only track left in New Hampshire on life support. In Hinsdale, the old harness track was finally torn down. A new OTB is being built in that town,
Maine has added some casinos, but still not at Scarborough Downs where the future of racing is always in doubt.
Pennsylvania still continues to climb to the top of the horse racing world, with purses at Parx and Chester Harness competitive with New York. Newer racinos at The Meadows and Presque Isle and Penn Gaming gobbling up as much as it can swallow.
West Virginia will probably lose a little ground at Mountaineer when Ohio gaming is at full speed.
Indiana will not be the only game around as neighbor Ohio joins the gaming wars. Indiana racing has been improving but if purses improve in Ohio that could be in jeopardy.
Texas has gone backwards since it's glory day of hosting the breeders cup. Live racing dates are down and the state is surrounded with casinos.
Oklahoma seems to have a casino wherever two roads intersect, which begs the question, who needs a racino.
Montana racing seems to be in turmoil, with tracks going in and out of business at the drop of a cowboy hat.
Washington State's fair circuit has not come back to life, with Sun Downs the only one running, but with reduced race days. Emerald Downs seems to be doing well.
Idaho is probably the only Western State, that still maintains a lengthily fair season.
Michigan still has plenty of casinos, but no racinos. Mount Pleasant Meadows continues to keep flat racing alive on summer weekend and the harness industry still has a decent circuit.
Other States like Arizona, Virginia, Minnesota, Iowa, Arkansas, Oregon and Colorado who have tracks with extended meets seem to be doing ok.
As for States like New Mexico and Louisiana they all have multiple racino venues where not much seemed to change.