DATE: Saturday, November 8, 1997            TAG: 9711080010

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Editorial 

                                            LENGTH:   30 lines

GAMBLING VOTERS SAY NAY

Backers of legalized gambling got a sobering message Tuesday when three off-track betting referendums were soundly defeated.

Voters in Roanoke, Martinsville and Fredericksburg wisely decided to keep legalized gambling out of their cities despite promises of tax windfalls. In Fred-ericksburg it wasn't even close. Seventy-two percent of voters there said ``neigh'' to an off-track betting parlor.

Colonial Downs, which operates Virginia's lone horse track in New Kent County, is authorized to operate six off-track betting parlors. Three are already in business. Since horse tracks are money losers unless coupled with off-track betting, simulcast racing or casino games, it is financially essential that Colonial Downs find a few more cities willing to have betting parlors in their midst.

So far they are not having much luck.

This is the second year in a row that off-track betting measures were rejected. Last year the voters in Manassas Park showed great wisdom in turning back a well-financed effort to bring legalized gambling to that city.

Off-track betting parlors siphon money away from established businesses, provide compulsive gamblers with a convenient place to squander their money and contribute absolutely nothing to the quality of life. Voters in Virginia are getting the message.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu