How much does it really cost?

[Track Phantom]

Got to thinking, how much does it cost a horse player to play this game. What types of things does the player have to shell out over and above losing bets?

Here's a list but feel free to shoot holes in it or add to it.

Daily Racing Form
Admission
Parking
Live Racing Program
High tax rate on IRS winnings
High takeout
Gas (and not the kind that comes with the anxiety of getting nosed out)

Just kind of curious how far behind the 8-ball the player is before factoring in wagering wins and losses. I'm sure there's a lot more to add to the list.

[Robert Goren]

Even on his best day a small better needs to be extremely to win at the track. This why higher paying bets are more popular at the track than at an ADW. You seldom see anyone at a track(or a simulcast or OTB) wager on the favorite in the win pool. The next time you go to a track watch how people bet there. You will be amazed at how different it is from even 20 years ago.

[OTM Al]

So you buy both the form and the track program? That makes sense. Of course you could just sit at home and avoid all these costs, but then there wouldn't be anything to complain about. Surprised you didn't add food.

BTW, paying the IRS means you hit pretty good. I hit one of those, I don't complain about paying taxes.

[cj]

BTW, paying the IRS means you hit pretty good. I hit one of those, I don't complain about paying taxes.

You should, unless you are a consistent winner each year.

[PhantomOnTour]

So you buy both the form and the track program? That makes sense. Of course you could just sit at home and avoid all these costs, but then there wouldn't be anything to complain about. Surprised you didn't add food.

BTW, paying the IRS means you hit pretty good. I hit one of those, I don't complain about paying taxes.
"Get out of the house, light out and look all around."
-Jerry Garcia

Some folks actually go to the track to bet...amazing.

[OTM Al]

You should, unless you are a consistent winner each year.

I would prefer not to of course, but given my betting volume, a hit like that probably puts me in the good for the year. So it wouldn't bother me much at all. In theory, by not claiming all our winnings, we are all tax cheats aren't we.

[Beachbabe]

I know not all tracks....but admission and parking are non-factors at some of the ones I've been to. Usually where Racinos are involved, parking and admission are free.

[cj]

I would prefer not to of course, but given my betting volume, a hit like that probably puts me in the good for the year. So it wouldn't bother me much at all. In theory, by not claiming all our winnings, we are all tax cheats aren't we.

Right, but why harass the guy because of your specific situation? The tax thing is pretty rough. However, I'm not sure I would have included it in a "daily trip to the track" summary.

[OTM Al]

Right, but why harass the guy because of your specific situation? The tax thing is pretty rough. However, I'm not sure I would have included it in a "daily trip to the track" summary.

He did say feel free to shoot holes in it. But seriously, he's asking what costs are involved, but everything of what is on his list are costs are those of personal choice. Don't like high takeout? There are places with bets with not so high takeout, plus there is always rebating. Don't like IRS payments, then don't play the bets that have them as likely or play places that have fractional wagering. Everything else can be avoided by betting from home. Sorry but this looks like a whine.

[johnhannibalsmith]

...Everything else can be avoided by betting from home. Sorry but this looks like a whine.

I'm not nitpicking here, or not trying to at least, but not all of us have that option. :(

Even the OTB has a minimum food order.

[Tom]

Daily Racing Form
Admission
Parking
Live Racing Program
High tax rate on IRS winnings
High takeout

The takeout only hits winners, so if you want to cut your costs, don't bet winners.;)

[Robert Goren]

The standard deduction problem is not only a problem for gamblers, but for many part-time business owners-full time wage earners who don't have enough deductions to off set the standard deduction. It is not a problem for full time big time gamblers. I think everybody should pay their share of taxes, but not more because of the way the law is set up. The way things are now should be changed, but I have no idea how without screwing over the guy whose only income is from a paycheck. One thing I do know, no one outside of a gambler thinks the gambling profits should be taxed at a lesser rate than any other income. You can argue till the cows come home and post 100 pages here and you are not going to change one non gambler's mind on that. So don't even bother making that argument. Right or wrong, it is a complete waste of time.

[BlueShoe]

Mostly because I am at heart a cheapskate, but also because I resent being viewed as a captive sucker to be gouged, long ago addressed some of the issues in the OP. Stopped buying a program years ago, in SoCal that is saving $2.25 a day. When the DRF started printing official program numbers, there is no real need for one. Never, ever pay for parking, including attendance at live racing. Plenty of free parking a short distance away, and walking is good for you. Almost always only attend live racing when I have a pass for free admission, and get plenty of them in the mail since am on all the lists. Drive a non hybrid that gets very good gas mileage, but even so, when gas prices soar, like right now, tend to stick to the closest otb sites, all of which have free parking and either free or low cost admission. Taxes and high takeout are beyong my control, although playing tracks with lower takeouts helps a bit. A Form I must have, no options there. Not mentioned in the OP are the inflated food and drink prices that the tracks and otb sites hit their patrons with. My solution to that is to eat just before going, and to skip the track food. My one "extravagance" is to have one cup of coffee while I am there. While my cost cutting tactics may amuse many or have them shaking their heads, over a long period of time they have added up to real money, likely in the thousands. This, of course, has left me with more money to bet with.:D :ThmbUp:

[Fingal]

BTW, paying the IRS means you hit pretty good. I hit one of those, I don't complain about paying taxes.

It's better than the alternative.

[Zman179]

Got to thinking, how much does it cost a horse player to play this game. What types of things does the player have to shell out over and above losing bets?

Here's a list but feel free to shoot holes in it or add to it.

Daily Racing Form
Admission
Parking
Live Racing Program
High tax rate on IRS winnings
High takeout
Gas (and not the kind that comes with the anxiety of getting nosed out)

Just kind of curious how far behind the 8-ball the player is before factoring in wagering wins and losses. I'm sure there's a lot more to add to the list.

You also have to add the cost of food and reserved seat. Of course not every track is going to have all of the above, but it is in your best interest to cut costs down. Here are some ways to cut down some of your everyday expenses (some are reasonable, some are...well...reaching for it):

• DRF is $7. Instead get a free BRIS program and place bets with their affiliated ADW.
• Some tracks which have admission costs also have season passes, which can bring down the cost per card significantly.
• Some tracks are in residential areas. On good weather days, park a few blocks away and walk to save on parking costs. Or consider taking public transportation if the time spent on the bus isn't too great and save the gas money too.
• These days there's no need to have a program AND Bris/DRF pp's. At NYRA, their track program is a waste for $3.50 and only two tracks. Spend 50¢ more and get the Daily Racing Program which gives you the same tracks plus twilight/evening cards.
• Some Canadian trotter tracks offer free programs online. Just click and print!
• Inquire if you can bring in outside food. At NYRA you can. So I bring in a plastic bottle or two of soda/water, a big hero sandwich and a bag-o-chips.
• Get to the track later in the day. This way you can "scavenge" a free program/DRF left behind by one who didn't have such a good day and save on admission costs.
• Print a lot of programs online? Get a Laser Printer. I recently purchased a refurbished HP for $80 from a major electronics chain with all of the warranties and everything. If you're a frequent player you'll more than make the $80 back in saved ink expenses.

When there's a will, there's a way. All depends on how much will you have.

[appistappis]

one point not brought up here.......in trying to attract new players any cost is prohibitive....they can walk into any casino, sit down and start playing poker with zero cost.

[Zman179]

one point not brought up here.......in trying to attract new players any cost is prohibitive....they can walk into any casino, sit down and start playing poker with zero cost.

Only reason it wasn't brought up is because it's common knowledge.

[therussmeister]

At the very few tracks I've been to, I can't think of a single reason to buy both the form and a program.

[thaskalos]

It has been said many times, but it's very true...

Having a horseplayer pay for past performances makes as much sense as having a restaurant patron pay to look at the menu.

[point given]

DRF is also advertising free pps by using their own ADW and now Expressbet hass an ad up for free equibase pps til April 1 and then free if you bet $250 per month.

[Track Phantom]

It has been said many times, but it's very true...

Having a horseplayer pay for past performances makes as much sense as having a restaurant patron pay to look at the menu.

Agree 100%. In my opinion, it is one of the main reasons the average Joe doesn't get involved. I mean it would cost someone who is serious thousands per year to get unlimited PP's. Most would not consider getting them if they were free much less pay that kind of money.

It's silly but it's great for DRF

[duncan04]

DRF is also advertising free pps by using their own ADW and now Expressbet hass an ad up for free equibase pps til April 1 and then free if you bet $250 per month.


DRF offers free pp's but there are a bunch of hoops to jump thru.

Like:
Sign up and wager on DRF Bets and get 4 weeks* of unlimited past performances FREE! This $149.95 value is available to you at no cost for a limited time only

Fund your new DRF Bets account with a minimum of $100 and receive 2 weeks of Unlimited Daily Racing Form Online PPs free. Wager a minimum of $500 to receive an additional 2 weeks of Unlimited Daily Racing Form Online PPs free. Applies to new DRF Bets accounts only.

Looks like I'll stick with Twinspires and wager on at least one race to get my BRIS Ultimate pp's for free.

[Spiderman]

The method of filing gambling losses to the limit of gambling winnings is unfair. The reporting should be done, similar to reporting Capital gains/losses.

With Capital Gains, losses are applied to gains before you reach Adjusted Gross Income and does not impact your choice of taking the standard deduction or itemizing on Schedule A. Gambling losses must be reported on Schedule A, negating any benefit of the standard deduction. Depending on an individual's income, tax liability will increase due to the requires method of reporting.

Changing the current IRS rulings through Congress, has as little chance as a snowflake in the tropics. It does seem like double-taxation.

[point given]

DRF offers free pp's but there are a bunch of hoops to jump thru.

Like:
Sign up and wager on DRF Bets and get 4 weeks* of unlimited past performances FREE! This $149.95 value is available to you at no cost for a limited time only

Fund your new DRF Bets account with a minimum of $100 and receive 2 weeks of Unlimited Daily Racing Form Online PPs free. Wager a minimum of $500 to receive an additional 2 weeks of Unlimited Daily Racing Form Online PPs free. Applies to new DRF Bets accounts only.

Looks like I'll stick with Twinspires and wager on at least one race to get my BRIS Ultimate pp's for free.

Me too, i've been using them for years. I wondered about the DRF deal though so thanks for the info on that. BTW, free Bris pps unlimited in Feb.too.:ThmbUp: