Total handle, purses, wagering per race and per betting interest in the United States all increased while the number of race days decreased slightly in 2019 compared to 2018.
Total wagering increased by $48,525,862 (3.53 per cent) from $1,376,360,696 in 2018 to $1,424,886,558 in 2019.
On average, the amount bet per race in 2019 was $39,991, a 4.54 per cent increase from $38,253 the year before, and the average wagered per betting interest increased from $4,850 to $5,008 in 2019, a 3.26 per cent gain.
Total purses distributed in 2019 were $439,546,019, which was a $10,125,350 (2.36 per cent) increase from the $429,420,669 in 2018.
Each of the above economic indicators showed increases, despite a 1.33 per cent decrease of 46 race days to 3,424 in 2019 compared to 3,470 in 2018.
The comparative economic indicators for U.S. harness racing from 2019 and 2018 appear below.
Please note: Includes U.S. and Canadian common and separate pool wagers on races contested in the U.S.
(USTA)