GAMBLING ON HARNESS RACING INCREASES AGAIN THIS YR

[old guy]

 

Everything you said is balls on accurate

[Brown jug]

mr 26
 i hear you and agree completely
 i too enjoyed those times
but i cant change todays world
 would i rather it be 40 years ago , damn straight
having said that i thank god i/we grew up when we did

[Fuguzzi]

put me down for a big ME TOO

[horses first]

why in this discussion do people keep saying " but without the slot money harness racing is dead" but we do have the slot money so that is a non issue, once again it was their payment to be allowed to operate casinos at the racetracks and they have done very well by that arrangement

also please accept the glory days of live attendance being strong is never going to happen, the best you can hope for and the way the sport should be marketed is to hype the big races and make them social events that people want to attend, people play poker and black jack on their phone/computer, why is horse racing any different
the real challenge is getting younger people to be aware and have some sense of harness racing so they bet , who cares if they ever come to the track

it is actually a positive that people can bet from home and not have to drive to the track , are folks likely to bet more if they can sit at home and bet rather than spending time and money commuting to the track in miserable November or December etc weather or not bothering to go at all

The issue isn't the handle it's where the handle is being placed. The handle could be 20% higher next year but if that handle is less on track, less OTB, and mostly ADW. Also ADW wagered on tracks out of state then the purse account gets less and less of that handle. ADW was the gorilla in the room because the industry didn't have the foresight to figure that platform out on its own. For that they get crumbs, peanuts, virtually nothing of that overall handle when divided up into a purse account. As far as the track/casino deal yes it's still here but when will it not be and whoever posted purses as a 1/5 or 1/10th will be right on.

[rainman2]

The issue isn't the handle it's where the handle is being placed. The handle could be 20% higher next year but if that handle is less on track, less OTB, and mostly ADW. Also ADW wagered on tracks out of state then the purse account gets less and less of that handle. ADW was the gorilla in the room because the industry didn't have the foresight to figure that platform out on its own. For that they get crumbs, peanuts, virtually nothing of that overall handle when divided up into a purse account. As far as the track/casino deal yes it's still here but when will it not be and whoever posted purses as a 1/5 or 1/10th will be right on.

Thank you for the shout out!

My first venture into the business was at Pompano Park [RIP] in 2004 pre slots.  I knew going in it was a losing proposition going in {I talked my girlfriend into going in half with me as she was warned of the financial losses} and we did it anyway.  It was one of the best experiences of my life (I have bowled 2 perfect games on the same night and cashed in a Professional Bowlers Association 50+ tournament, tying Norm Duke and beating Pete Weber in that tournament}.  My girlfriend and I actually bred our mare a few years later and he made the races finishing 3rd to Sweet Lou in his first lifetime start. 

The only reason I am in the business today is because of the 'slot-infused' purses.  I'm not going to lie about this and many others that are owners here are too.  At least you have a chance to recoup your investment into the "dying sport" and still enjoy it.  I 100% respect my current trainer and it is a business experience as well as a social/friendship one too.