A poll of Horseplayer Association of North America members revealed that 90.2 per cent of respondents will be withholding either some or all of their dollars from Churchill Downs Inc. racetracks and wagering platforms.
Churchill Downs Inc. racetracks are Churchill Downs, Arlington, Fair Grounds and Calder Race Course, while the wagering platform is twinspires.com and the past performance provider is brisnet.com.
This poll result is in response to Churchill Downs Inc. increasing its takeout rates by over 9 per cent on the Win, Place and Show pools and almost 16 per cent on exotic pools at their Louisville, KY racetrack. The takeout increase was put in place April 26 and will continue for the rest of the meet.
The poll also showed that only 8.5 per cent of respondents believe that this is only a one-track phenomenon. Forty-two pint eight per cent believe Churchill Downs Inc. will raise prices at their other tracks, and an additional 48.7 per cent believe that other non-Churchill Downs Inc. tracks will follow with rate hikes.
“The Board of Directors was struck by the anger this past week on social media and our email from rank and file horseplayers, so we commissioned a survey of members.” said HANA President Jeff Platt. “The survey confirmed that current HANA membership had a similar discontent and they’ve urged us to move forward.”
Although HANA will be working on partnerships with various groups, an advertising program, and a social media push to increase support for a boycott of all Churchill Downs Inc. properties, the Association of over 2,500 horseplayers believes the success or failure of the effort will lie with customers.
“Large gaming corporations like Churchill Downs Inc. are extremely well funded, but we do not underestimate the power of an educated customer. We ask customers to share this action with their friends and fellow horseplayers,” said Platt.
A list of Advance Deposit Wagering companies and figure/past performance makers is being compiled, so customers who wish to switch from Churchill Downs Inc. properties can complete their due diligence. HANA, as is its custom, will not be endorsing or recommending any of these products or services.
The Horseplayers Association of North America will keep both members and non-members informed on its blog, twitter feed, Facebook page and via email as warranted. Customers are also encouraged to visit playersboycott.org for more information.
Further results from the member poll and the above mentioned list will be released next week on the Horseplayers Association blog.
(HANA)