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Virginians cannot say that the proposal on the ballot Nov. 7 to allow parimutuel horse racing in the state is a proposal sprung on the electorate suddenly, or one for which there has not been sufficient time for study.
The record shows that a horse racing bill was introduced in the General -Assembly as early as 1928—50 years ago.
Basically, what the 1978 proposition allows, if voters agree, is for localities down the road to vote in due time whether they want a race track or not.
Approval of the referendum has an obvious advantage. It will enhance a local industry—the breeding, training and racing of horses at home. They are bred and trained here now, and then must be vanned to other states to race.
The disadvantages that some see have been thoroughly explored. Parimutuel racing, the opponents maintain, would encourage gambling. There is also a possibility, they maintain, that parimutuel racing would attract criminal offtrack betting activity. Yet other states—and Delaware is an example—have been able to operate splendid racing program; with not a hint of corruption or scandal. So why shouldn’t Virginia try? There is another particular advantage, if the referendum is approved, to communities like Rappahannock
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