Monticello makeover: Video gaming comes to harness track
Monticello Raceway, which opened 46 years ago today, will become home on June 30 to Mighty M Gaming, a casino-like facility with row after row of video gaming machines, 1,743 in all.
There are machines you can play for as little a nickel, or as much as $10 - and more than $10 if playing multiple lines on a single spin.
Gamblers can win up to $50,000, but payouts at machines will not exceed $600. Those hitting higher jackpots will be escorted to the "cage," where a cashier will issue a check.
A stage in the Lava Lounge will host live performances by local and nationally known performers. The Mighty Mmmm Food Court, Player's Club booths, a gift shop and a 350-seat eatery dubbed the Winner's Circle Buffet will round out the gaming facility.
BILLBOARDS line the shoulders of roads heading toward the raceway, and a media blitz is in full swing to build anticipation.
The hype is similar to what preceded the opening of the harness track at Monticello in 1958, and while attendance for the horse races has fallen off from nearly 20,000 on a good day to just a few hundred, there still are those who remember the glory days.
"There was a lot of anticipation. Sports writers wrote about it," John Manzi, publicity manager for Mighty M Gaming, said of Monticello Raceway's early days. "Horses were king. It was probably as anticipated then as ... casinos are today. It was the only place you could make a legal bet."
"WHEN THIS track was built, most of our business was people coming in," said Cliff Ehrlich, senior vice president of Mighty M Gaming at Monticello Raceway.
"People show us pictures, women wore mink coats," said Charles Degliomini, vice president for corporate communications at Empire Resorts. "It was quite the social occasion."
"At one time, this was the only place you could make a legal bet in New York state," Degliomini said. "There was no (Off-Track Betting), there were no casinos, no lottery."
AS VIDEO gaming prepares to make its debut at Monticello, an additional 400 people have been hired, including roving floor ambassadors will strive to ensure everyone all visitors enjoy their experience. 바다이야기
THE VIDEO gaming machines that will be used in Monticello were built by three vendors: IGT and Bally's, which manufacture their machines in Nevada; and Spielo, which is based in Rhode Island but manufactures equipment in Canada.
Ehrlich said that to the players, the machines will be indistinguishable from those found in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Indian-run casinos.