THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602240099
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 147 lines
They pass each other under smoky fluorescent light, recognition flickering in their eyes. But they don't stop to say hello or even nod to each other.
They're too busy for pleasantries - busy trying to pick horses that will win them some cash.
High rollers who used to frequent horse race betting parlors in Maryland and other states now are meeting each other again, this time in Chesapeake.
The state's first horse race gambling parlor, which opened a week ago in the Deep Creek section of town, already is drawing hordes of people from all over South Hampton Roads, the Peninsula and other areas of Virginia.
Patrons watch and place bets on live races, broadcast via satellite on more than 200 television sets lining the cavernous room.
``This place is going to boom,'' said Arnel M. Saba, 34, of Newport News, who used to travel often to Maryland and Atlantic City to gamble, but now plans to come once a week instead to the Colonial Downs Satellite Wagering facility in Chesapeake.
Until the parlor's grand opening, no one knew exactly how many Virginians like Saba had been craving a closer place to lay down their money and tempt the odds.
Even representatives of Colonial Downs, the Ohio-based group that's been given licenses to open betting parlors across the state to accompany a race track that's slated to be built in New Kent County, have been surprised at the heavy response.
As of Tuesday (the last day for which figures were available), nearly 4,500 people had glided through the metal turnstiles into the parlor, a former Earle's Market that's been gutted and remodeled into a kind of sports bar.
Nearly $482,000 had been wagered.
The trend appears to be continuing. At 2 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, for example, the parking lot was packed. The cars gave a hint at the mixed clientele that's being drawn to the parlor: Beat-up station wagons rested alongside new luxury sedans.
Inside, crowds ranging from sharply attired businessmen to roughly clad construction workers crowded around television screens, cheering, raising fists and leaning tense bodies forward as if to will their favorite horses to pull ahead. The group was mostly male. A few of them pushed baby strollers with them up to the betting windows.
``The response has been amazing,'' said John A. Maurer, the parlor's manager, who has fielded calls from dozens of people statewide wanting to know exactly where the facility is, including one guy who already was making plans to do some gambling during an upcoming summer vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
``They're just out here to have a good time,'' said Maurer, who has set up residence for the time being in the Sunset Manor Motel across South Military Highway from the parlor, while he pulls 15-hour shifts getting the place up and running. ``You have business people, you have people just off work - just a wide variety of people.
``That's what I like about horse racing. You can have a bum and a millionaire, standing at the rail together, comparing notes on which horse they like in the next race.
``There's something about horse racing that draws people in.''
Despite the early flood of business, however, it's still unclear what the parlor's impact on the city will be.
Chesapeake economic development officials estimate the city will receive about $400,000 annually in tax revenues. The parlor employs about 85 local workers, Maurer said, and more will be hired.
But no one is sure whether Deep Creek retailers will see any residual business from the parlor's clientele.
``A lot of people (gamblers) will get greedy,'' said Jimmy Davis, 56, of Suffolk, who spent several hours Wednesday afternoon trying his luck at the parlor.
``They'll blow all the money in their pockets,'' Davis said, and then go straight home, empty-handed.
``I don't think it'll do the economy much good,'' said Robert N. Fields, 84, who lives on Conrad Avenue behind the parlor. ``It'll take millions out of the economy and go in some bank somewhere.''
Other residents predict trouble ahead.
``I wish they'd close it down today,'' said Dorothy D. ``Dot'' Hunsucker, 69, also of Conrad Avenue, who is opposed to any type of gambling.
Hunsucker says parlor customers already are beginning to park their cars along a side street that intersects with hers, making it difficult for residents to get to their homes.
Hunsucker, who raised her family on Conrad Avenue and has watched the neighborhood deteriorate from a suburban enclave to a struggling, crime-addled district, says drunken drivers regularly land their automobiles in the ditch that runs in front of her neatly trimmed front yard. She worries that more such reckless drivers will come from the gambling facility. And she fears other, more serious crimes.
``We need to keep our neighborhood clean, and we can't do that with that place over there,'' she said.
But Colonial Downs representatives say they will try to be good neighbors, offering clean entertainment for folks who don't mind paying for it.
``We're trying to make it easy for people to come out and have a good time, but difficult for them to overindulge,'' said parlor manager Maurer.
The facade, sharp white with hunter green accents, contrasts with nearby run-down motels, bars and industrial-type businesses.
Inside, the place is a far cry from descriptions of seedy joints in other states, except perhaps for the cigarette pall that pervades.
Ceramic tile, dark wood and brass accents greet customers, who can watch the races from restaurant-style tables, an oak bar or long betting benches. Waitresses in hunter green cummerbunds and bow ties serve drinks and food.
The cover charge to get in is $1. Folks can try their hand at betting for the $3 cost of a racing program and a minimum bet of $2.
An experienced horse race official, licensed by the state Racing Commission, offers a free seminar at the parlor each morning about the basics of betting.
Colonial Downs also has hired a couple of retired gentlemen, themselves inveterate horse race gamblers, to walk around in suits and coach patrons on the fine art of picking thoroughbreds and playing the odds.
Allan Rothenberg, 77, one of the two customer relations specialists, said he and parlor customers are not shady characters, just normal citizens who find gambling enjoyable.
The parlor's clientele should not be judged by appearances or willingness to spend a lot of time betting, Rothenberg said.
Rothenberg, a Virginia Beach resident, is a retired Navy pilot and now referees world championship boxing all over the world for the International Boxing Federation. He sees gambling as one of his main hobbies.
``I'd say the people that come in fairly regularly are probably more well situated financially than their appearance would indicate,'' Rothenberg said.
``Horse track people generally don't dress up to go to a betting parlor,'' he said. ``Besides, when you come in and out of a betting parlor, you don't want to look like one of the 10 wealthiest people in the area. It's a good way of getting held up.
``When I leave a parlor, I try to get the most hang-dog look I can on my face, like I just lost the farm.''
Patrons said they appreciated the opportunity to come to Chesapeake to play the races, rather than having to travel to far-away places.
``I'm a firm believer,'' said Robert L. Johnson Jr., 47, of Virginia Beach. ``If a person wants to gamble, he should be allowed to gamble.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by HUY NGUYEN
Parlor visitors can watch monitors that provide results, statistics,
handicapping information, feature stories as well as live races from
around the country.
Kevin Matthews, left, and Rick Wenger keep a close eye on their
horses on one of more than 200 television sets that line the walls
of Colonial Downs Satellite Wagering facility in Chesapeake.
John Gagliardi concentrates on his racing form as others rush by to
place their bets.
KEYWORDS: OFF TRACK BETTING HORSE RACING GAMBLING by CNB