In a report which begins by highlighting negative industry trends, a piece by The Buffalo News does a bit of a 180 and goes on to shine its spotlight on 'three 20-somethings' that recently dropped into an area OTB
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The article states that before the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 21, twenty-two-year-old financial analyst Ryan Miller brought his girlfriend, Laura Caley, and his 22-year-old roommate, Andrew Murphy, to the OTB to plunk down some bucks on the big race. They were making their wagers before going back home for a Preakness Party.
"I actually did this for the first time for the Kentucky Derby," said Miller. "My stepmom took me here and ... she showed me these booklets and showed me how to make somewhat informed decisions. We put a bunch of bets down, and I actually won. Now I'm totally into it."
When it came to what could be done to make the sport more attractive and enticing for the younger demographic, Caley said. "Maybe a commercial with people like you who won money off it. 'I won $220 and I didn't even know what I was doing!'"
Miller was later quoted as saying, "Honestly, making the bets is somewhat confusing. Maybe if they made it a little easier to understand."
(With files from The Buffalo News)