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View Full Version : Exacta Systems Handles $51.8 Million, Shatters Monthly Historic Wagering Record At KD


PaceAdvantage
03-02-2017, 09:57 AM
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/exacta-systems-handles-51-8-130000225.html

OK...I admit, I don't get these machines. Are they slot machines? They look like slot machines...they seem to play like slot machines...but they function on historical racing results? Anyone ever play one of these? How does it work?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUj4O45GZYc

MonmouthParkJoe
03-02-2017, 10:03 AM
I played one of these at symposium. They look exactly like a slot machine and operate just like one. The outcome is determined by a race that was run in the past, and from what I remember even tells you the race that was run. Interesting concept and the way it is packaged you really cant tell the difference.

PaceAdvantage
03-02-2017, 10:06 AM
From what I gather, you get to choose the order of horses before you spin? I can't wrap my head around how that all works together...

I guess maybe if I watch the video I put up here, I might learn something...:lol:

HuggingTheRail
03-02-2017, 10:19 AM
From what I gather, you get to choose the order of horses before you spin? I can't wrap my head around how that all works together...

I guess maybe if I watch the video I put up here, I might learn something...:lol:

Paypal me $50 and I'll tell you if you won....

KidCapper
03-02-2017, 10:42 AM
I went to Oaklawn Park when these machines first came out. At first glance I could not separate them from the slots. In fact, we had to ask the change guy where they were located. Played a couple times....they're slot machines......I did enjoy the 5 second clip of a race in the corner screen...never did figure out how it worked...:bang:

MonmouthParkJoe
03-02-2017, 11:02 AM
From what I gather, you get to choose the order of horses before you spin? I can't wrap my head around how that all works together...

I guess maybe if I watch the video I put up here, I might learn something...:lol:

If i remember correctly you do chose the numbers and they show you some hokey stat like the trainers win percentage in that race, but listed out like 1 horse trainer 24% ITM. There are different variations.

ReplayRandall
03-02-2017, 11:30 AM
This is just a slick way to get around existing gaming laws using "pari-mutuel" wagering as the lawful agent....Nothing but slot machines, an insult to any horse-player's intelligence, if there is such a thing anymore...:rolleyes:

barn32
03-02-2017, 01:43 PM
What a crock of shite!

baconswitchfarm
03-02-2017, 06:04 PM
It is a slot machine.

Poindexter
03-02-2017, 06:40 PM
Obviously it has little appeal to skilled horse players But, does it open the door for slot players to get used to the idea of using skill (not sure what stats/info they provide), to try and outwith opponents and win money. Seems like if this game catches on the transition to horse racing becomes easier. Somewhere down the line the idea of using your brain to outwit opponents and possibly winning money at real horse racing might be more appealing than consistently losing at the slot machine version (one would hope).

That being said they need to parlay this into seminars/education (for example a prize could be free breakfast seminar at the local racetrack for two. This could be useful, but something tells me this is more about casinos trying to make a more exciting slot machine and less about them trying to promote the sport of horse racing. But hopefully I a wrong

I guess the final analysis is what has happened to on track handle at Kentucky Downs or any other tracks that are doing well with these machines in their neighboring casinos. If after a couple of years these machines continue to grow and on track handle goes nowhere..........................................t hen what?

AlsoEligible
03-02-2017, 07:02 PM
Usually I follow the rule of "if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck", but these are an exception.

Underneath the spinning reels and flashing lights are historical races, and some handicapping information is available to a player who wants to try their hand at it. The data is obviously scrubbed of horse names, jockey, trainer, owner, etc, so that no one can try and guess the track or race. It's mostly dumbed down past performance info.

All of that said, there is a "quick pick" option that lets a player just constantly play spin after spin with random selections, and they never see any race video or handicapping information. For all they know, it is a slot machine. Of course that's what most players pick, and that's really what the facility wants (more plays = more churn). But the option to handicap is available, and that alone creates enough legal wiggle room to prove that it's not a traditional slot machine.

They also differ from traditional slots in that they are parimutuel. If there's 10 people playing the same game at different machines, they're all playing against one another in a common pool. The house never has to worry about losing their ass, but they do have a kind of "slush fund" that can be used if too many players hit big payouts in a short amount of time (similar to a minus pool). When that fund is tapped into (rarely), it's eventually replenished with losing wagers.

Whether or not they're a good thing for racing, or whether they cultivate slot players into racing fans is a whole different debate. But just writing it off as a typical slot machine would be ignoring the major points that make them legal in states where traditional slots are not.

thaskalos
03-02-2017, 07:19 PM
What's the takeout rate on this version of our game?

baconswitchfarm
03-02-2017, 08:17 PM
Usually I follow the rule of "if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck", but these are an exception.

Underneath the spinning reels and flashing lights are historical races, and some handicapping information is available to a player who wants to try their hand at it. The data is obviously scrubbed of horse names, jockey, trainer, owner, etc, so that no one can try and guess the track or race. It's mostly dumbed down past performance info.

All of that said, there is a "quick pick" option that lets a player just constantly play spin after spin with random selections, and they never see any race video or handicapping information. For all they know, it is a slot machine. Of course that's what most players pick, and that's really what the facility wants (more plays = more churn). But the option to handicap is available, and that alone creates enough legal wiggle room to prove that it's not a traditional slot machine.

They also differ from traditional slots in that they are parimutuel. If there's 10 people playing the same game at different machines, they're all playing against one another in a common pool. The house never has to worry about losing their ass, but they do have a kind of "slush fund" that can be used if too many players hit big payouts in a short amount of time (similar to a minus pool). When that fund is tapped into (rarely), it's eventually replenished with losing wagers.

Whether or not they're a good thing for racing, or whether they cultivate slot players into racing fans is a whole different debate. But just writing it off as a typical slot machine would be ignoring the major points that make them legal in states where traditional slots are not.


It is a slot machine. Nothing more

Nitro
03-02-2017, 09:50 PM
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla., March 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Exacta Systems and Kentucky Downs once again shattered the single month
historic horse racing handle record in February, with wagering in the 28-day month totaling $51.8 million.
The previous record of $47.2 million was only one month old, having been set in January.
This marks the third straight month that a new HHR wagering record has been set at Kentucky Downs.

I’m not sure what the big deal is with this so-record.
Maybe some of our stateside horse racing jurisdictions should take a peek at what happens
in Hong Kong twice a week when it comes to a healthy handle.

While some might find those numbers very impressive for a 28 day period.
They pale by comparison to a REAL horse racing program.

How about theses typical race-by-race handle numbers? (BTW that’s in MILLIONS of $$$$)
Not imposing enough for you?
Then keep in mind each per-race handle is achieved in just 28 minutes (not 28 days)!

HK – Sha Tin - Sat. - 2-11-17 - All monies shown in U.S.$

Purse Value……………….......…Total Handle
Race #1 - $168,000………….$23,752,804
Race #2 - $126,000………….$26,374,041
Race #3 - $168,000………….$32,460,924
Race #4 - $247,000………….$24,783,804
Race #5 - $247,000………….$31,596,457
Race #6 - $168,000………….$29,582,850
Race #7 - $350,000………….$23,542,586
Race #8 - $350,000………….$31,349,082
Race #9 - $247,000………….$35,315,399
Race #10- $247,000………...$33,620,851

Total Handle All Races…….$288,145,365

And how about that total? Accomplished in just 5 hours of betting!
It kind of makes you wonder what our local racing officials are thinking about or waiting for.:confused:
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what the majority horse players really want and how our local industry could be significantly improved.

PaceAdvantage
03-02-2017, 11:58 PM
You're comparing apples to oranges when you compare Hong Kong racing to US racing.

Track Phantom
03-03-2017, 12:44 AM
...It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what the majority horse players really want and how our local industry could be significantly improved.

How?

Magister Ludi
03-03-2017, 12:30 PM
What's the takeout rate on this version of our game?

Usually 9%, depending upon the jurisdiction.

Magister Ludi
03-03-2017, 12:32 PM
It is possible to win 100% of the races that you play on an Instant Racing machine though that's not necessarily the optimal strategy. I have done it and am able to do it. However, I only know of one world-class AP besides me with the necessary knowledge, experience, and resources who may possibly be able to conceive, design, and implement a successful solution algorithm similar to mine.

Nitro
03-03-2017, 01:34 PM
You're comparing apples to oranges when you compare Hong Kong racing to US racing.
In terms of the overall product provided to their patrons, you’re absolutely correct!
The “apples and oranges” you’re referring to applies to the obvious differences in HOW
the racing programs are presented and offered to the customers.

And isn’t that unfortunate for those players who are diehard U.S. racing players and supporters.
I can safely say that I’ve personally never felt more comfortable playing the races,
as do since I started playing the races in HK 4 years ago. I’m not going to repeat all the comments
I’ve made in the past about why the HK product is superior in EVERY facet to the racing in North America.
I’ll leave that evaluation up to anyone else who cares to try it out for themselves.

I will repeat that I think it’s unfortunate that any one of the many U.S. racing jurisdictions
hasn’t made an attempt to emulate even a portion of what the HK model offers.

cj
03-03-2017, 01:57 PM
In terms of the overall product provided to their patrons, you’re absolutely correct!
The “apples and oranges” you’re referring to applies to the obvious differences in HOW
the racing programs are presented and offered to the customers.

And isn’t that unfortunate for those players who are diehard U.S. racing players and supporters.
I can safely say that I’ve personally never felt more comfortable playing the races,
as do since I started playing the races in HK 4 years ago. I’m not going to repeat all the comments
I’ve made in the past about why the HK product is superior in EVERY facet to the racing in North America.
I’ll leave that evaluation up to anyone else who cares to try it out for themselves.

I will repeat that I think it’s unfortunate that any one of the many U.S. racing jurisdictions
hasn’t made an attempt to emulate even a portion of what the HK model offers.

I'd love to get more into Hong Kong. I've even considered making speed figures and pace ratings and everything else. There doesn't seem to be much available publicly in that area. I'm sure there are plenty of sophisticated ratings done privately by big bettors.

Problem is they run in the middle of the night. That is always going to be a tough nut to crack for would be fans in North America.

thaskalos
03-03-2017, 02:05 PM
I'd love to get more into Hong Kong. I've even considered making speed figures and pace ratings and everything else. There doesn't seem to be much available publicly in that area. I'm sure there are plenty of sophisticated ratings done privately by big bettors.

Problem is they run in the middle of the night. That is always going to be a tough nut to crack for would be fans in North America.

Make the Hong Kong figures...and don't worry about the late starting time of the races. We'll take long naps in the afternoon. :ThmbUp:

cj
03-03-2017, 02:05 PM
Make the Hong Kong figures...and don't worry about the late starting time of the races. We'll take long naps in the afternoon. :ThmbUp:

You're a good guy and all but we are not taking long naps together!:lol:

thaskalos
03-03-2017, 02:14 PM
You're a good guy and all but we are not taking long naps together!:lol:

It's my fault for telling you that I am Greek...

Track Collector
03-03-2017, 07:56 PM
I saw these in Boise (before they shut them down) and again at Kentucky Downs. While there may be some things going on behind the scenes in these machines, they are truly SLOT machines. When someone goes in to the area where these machines are located, I challenge them to find even ONE person who is taking the time and has the temperament to want to use the "tools" that provide the potential to improve one's results (sans Magister Ludi :)).

When looking at racing, a very high number of participants are using some type of skill (other than luck) to make their selections. In Instant Racing, I would surprised if 100 people on the planet are doing so regularly, because the Instant Racing Crowd is the same as the Slot Machine Crowd.