“It’s a statement as well as contributing to our overall (betting handle). There’s a lot to be said about the perception of being in Vegas
and we want to be there.”
Those are the words of Woodbine Entertainment Group Chief Operating Officer Sean Pinsonneault, who explained to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun yesterday that WEG standardbred and thoroughbred racing can now be wagered upon in the racebooks of 83 Las Vegas casinos.
The article explains that a glut of regulatory hurdles have recently been cleared, paving the way for punters within the world-renowned gambling destination to gain access to WEG's attractive wagering pools.
This past weekend, more than $3 million was bet on both Saturday and Sunday thoroughbred cards at Woodbine Racetrack.
(With files from the Toronto Sun)
Getting the weg product into
Getting the weg product into the vegas sports and race books is certainly a plus for weg and these days the industry can use any pluses it can get because there isn't many. Unfortunately for this ex horseplayer it comes a little over 12 months to late. I have been going to vegas once or twice a year for approx 15 yrs now and when there always played the ponies. I would sit in the race book betting the big m and wishing they also carried the weg product as the big m and weg were the only two tracks i played.
However a little over a year ago i decided that i would not gamble on anything unless they had a fair house take and this year when in vegas it was the first time in 15 yrs that i did not play the races. I would still go to the sports and race book to watch the football or basketball game i wagered on and when my sports game was over i would head for the poker room or blackjack tables all games with a 10% or less house hold.
I hope to be going to vegas for the next 20 to 25 years and if the day comes that the race game decides to get competitive with other major forms of gambling by reducing the house take to 10% max in all pools i will look forward to sitting in the race and sportsbook with a weg and big m program having a cold one and once again playing the ponies.