Data from Standardbred Canada indicates pari-mutuel wagering on harness racing in Canada continued to increase in 2023.

Total pari-mutuel wagering on Canadian harness racing was more than $646.3 million in 2023, marking a 6.18 per cent increase from 2022 when wagering rebounded beyond pre-pandemic levels. The average per race handle of $57,268 in 2023 was also up, by 5.47 per cent, over the previous year.

There were 1,098 race dates and 11,286 races contested with pari-mutuel wagering in Canada in 2023. Compared to 2022, there were 11 less dates but 75 more races.

Purses offered for pari-mutuel races across Canada totalled more than $121.01 million in 2023, a decrease of 5.84 per cent from 2022.

Total wagering on harness racing at U.S. tracks was also up in 2023 with close to $1.59 billion wagered, marking a 6.59 per cent increase compared to 2022, according to statistics provided by the United States Trotting Association. The per race handle averaged $45,552 at U.S. tracks in 2023, up 4.50 per cent from the previous year.

U.S. racetracks hosted 3,218 race dates in 2023, a decrease of 61 race dates compared to 2022.

Total purses topped the $500 million mark in the U.S., with nearly $501.4 million distributed in 2023. American purses increased 3.64 per cent compared to 2022.

(Standardbred Canada)