In NY (small tracks are hard hit) it is due to a number of things: OTB - doesn't increase purses nor help the track; and competing casinos. Probably due to mismanagement as well. But I liked our small nearby trotter/pacer track that is now in bankruptcy; it may pull out with Class II type bingo slots. The state is licensing the tracks to have video slots but unlike more civilized states only authorizes video slots and not Vegas slots and not video poker. I think they limited it so the Indian casinos couldn't get the Class III slots but the Buffalo/Niagara area Indian casinos all have Class III slots and Turning Stone and others have video poker even if it is a bingo type slot. Of course, gambling is in a huge mess when a state constitution forbids it and somehow the courts interpret betting on horse races not to be the proscribed illegal gambline (and in my case they may be correct since I always lose at the track--no gamble at all )