I remain optimistic that the slots will be good for jai-alai at
Dania, though we may see a shorter season and a temporary close
while they remodel. But I think their intention really is a destination
resort with jai-alai part of the long term. I only wish they would
have said slots were allowed only on days with live jai-alai.
At the other frontons, I think the 100 performance rule (and 40
rule) is killing the game. The owners only want to run the minimum
and have no interest in promoting jai-alai. They are essentially
OTB's which have to run jai-alai for 3 months to be legal. This
is true of the Fort, Ocala and Orlando.
Now Hamilton is a different story since they are doing well with poker, but they are just
starting at ground zero with jai-alai. To me the savior for jai-alai
could be poker. Bring the tournaments back, raise the $2 max bet
to $5, get votes in the counties for Ocala, Orlando and the Fort
to have poker and they could be making money again and have an
interest in promoting the game, getting a full roster, etc.
