In the face of bad financial racing news from many areas of North America, total wagering in Alberta increased by
$2.1 million in 2008. Betting on live and simulcast racing by handicappers across the province reached $182,458,310 last year. That's an increase of 1.19% from 2007.
"The tracks have to take almost all the credit. They organize the input and selling of the signal. [They also] produce a product they can export," said Dr. David Reid, CEO of Horse Racing Alberta.
In data released earlier this week by HRA, Northlands Park showed a 17% rise in wagering in 2008 on foreign thoroughbred simulcast races. There was also a 3% hike in betting on harness simulcast action.
"Our handle since 2001 has gone up 25%," said Dr. Reid on Alberta wagering, "and the national handle has gone down 10%." Information released last week by Equibase indicates wagering in the U.S. dropped 7.2% in 2008 for the lowest total in a decade.
While properly handling the import and export of simulcast signal is a big reason for Alberta's continued success, Dr. Reid points to some other factors. "Our marketing and TV shows (on CTV) have been helpful," he was quoted as saying in the HRA article. "The (Canadian) Derby and Alberta Fall Classic have (also) been helpful."
The increased financial figures also show the dedication of a fan base that has had to deal with on-going problems in the Calgary market for many years. "Despite all the things that have happened, the fans have stuck with us," continued Dr. Reid.
The article concludes by saying that HRA projected an Alberta-wide handle of $169 million in 2008.
(With files from HRA)
Tonight being Wednesday Dec.
Tonight being Wednesday Dec. 14th we have ALL of Northlands racing on the TV on HPI but.. we can not bet on it, which we would, through out our hub of Assiniboine Downs.
Maybe if Winnipeg would take on more simalcast for Northlands Park, people in Manitoba would bet more. Why would we bet on Thoroughbreds when we watch harness all the time?
That increase sounds great.
That increase sounds great. However the live (on track) racing handle continues to plummet....Harness is always well under $100,00 and thoroughbreds have also had quite a few days under $100,00. What will they do to stop this continuous slide? The pools just keep getting smaller and smaller....forcing bettors to play other larger tracks.
Serious Alberta bettors are
Serious Alberta bettors are knowledgeable and sophisticated. The better the simulcast production and the greater availability of signal have a lot to do with he increased handle.
Racetracks are hurting themselves by not providing their signal on the internet to everyone. I would like to see a breakdown of where the money is being spent. My guess is that the majority is spent on tracks that provide a free signal and quality product such as Santa Anita (Calracing.com) and Woodbine thoroughbred. I subsribed at cost to MEC Video so I could get Gulfstream but their system change won't even allow me to do this.No Gulfstream for me!
Unfortunanely in Alberta there is no agreement with the digital TV cable providers for HPITV or the handle would be even better. Woodbine should ensure they have digital cable HPITV across the country or alternatively should provide the internet signal for all tracks . All American betting services provide that.Woodbine would do significantly better if they abandoned HPITV and put all signals on the internet.
We live in Manitoba and have
We live in Manitoba and have asked for years to have Alberta harness racing on HPI and be able to wager on them. Finally we get them once in a while. Wish it would be shown more aften.