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
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