THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 27, 1996 TAG: 9601250039
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
Regarding ``No horseless races'' (editorial, Jan. 10): Virginians voted their approval for pari-mutuel betting. This could be betting on horses, dogs and jai-alai games.
We have had steeplechase horse racing in Virginia for several years; however, there was no betting on these races until three years ago.
The mistake the legislators made was in not protecting the Virginia Racing Commission from frivolous lawsuits. In the meantime, the only ones getting anything from this deal are the lawyers; but, then, aren't most of our legislators lawyers?
The frustrated horse players still must travel to Maryland and West Virginia to play the ponies. Let's open up the off-track betting parlors and keep some of their money here in Virginia. The chances of cashing a winning ticket are greater at an off-track betting facility than they are from the lottery.
JIM HOSTMAN
Virginia Beach, Jan. 11, 1996 by CNB