OTB lost its mojo a long time ago
Jockey Alan Garcia rides Da' Tara to victory at Belmont Park during the running of the 140th Belmont Stakes in Elmont, June, 2008. Credit: BLOOMBERG
I am not surprised at the demise of the New York City Off-Track Betting Corp. ["Regional OTBs face long odds, too," News, Dec. 14]. I just thought it would happen sooner - much sooner.
In the mid-1970s, when New York City put the extra tax on OTB winnings, which could be as high as 20 percent with the breakage (the extra pennies), I assumed that everyone else would have quit like I did because the risk was increased without any reward. The city essentially made itself your partner, without adding any benefit, and of course the city took no risk.
I decided to stop playing it at that time, and haven't since. I reasoned that if I lose, I get nothing, and if I win, I get less for the money risked. It just wasn't worth it.
Jay Becker
Syosset
Top salaries on town, city payrolls ... Record November home prices ... Rocco's Taco's at Walt Whitman Shops ... After 47 years, affordable housing
