Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs wrapped up 2010 with some promising handle figures despite the current

industry trends.

Tioga showed increases in both live and export handle during its 2010 race meet; live handle was up for the year by nearly 4 per cent, while the export numbers jumped by more than eight per cent. The import numbers at Tioga stayed about the same compared to 2009 despite Tioga closing its simulcast operations on Monday and Tuesdays since November. Tioga also showed strong gains in VGM revenue, as 2010 was up over 2009 by seven per cent.

Vernon rounded out 2010 with almost an identical posting of its on-track handle from 2009, however the export number for the 2010 race season was down nine and a half per cent over 2009. On the import side at Vernon, however, 2010 showed almost a two per cent increase from 2009 and was the highest import number in the past five years since American Racing and Entertainment took over Vernon. However, the VGM revenue at Vernon posted a strong year, and with all the numbers in has increased from 2009 by more than 10 per cent.

“While obviously the significant increases in our VGM revenue will result in more money for purses next year, the fact that our racing revenues were also stable or slightly better than 2009 is encouraging as well” said American Racing and Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gural.

(Tioga/Vernon)