Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Asaro
https://www.gamingtoday.com/article/...to_be_examined
Excerpt:
The continuing examination of the possible effects of national sports wagering, should it become legal in the U.S., continues March 13-17 in New Orleans at the Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (HBPA) convention.
Sports betting and its possible ramifications on horse racing will come under scrutiny in a discussion panel featuring William Hill U.S. CEO Joe Asher.
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Only way it can benefit racing IMO is to only allow it at tracks, OTB's, and Casinos (Brick and Mortar) for first few years. The States that do that will help horse racing. The ones that don't will hurt horse racing.
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Almost anyone who really wants to bet sports can bet sports in the USA right now. There have been bookies in neighborhoods since the beginning of time. If you really want to bet sports on the internet, you can...right now...even if you live in the USA.
Hell, not too long ago, I was able to fund an off-shore poker account with a US Bank credit card...and they offered sports betting too...and online casino games...the whole shebang. All this within the last year or so (I scratched the online poker itch, blew my $100 initial deposit, and haven't been back since). So even with all the restrictions in place, you can STILL get online action even using a VISA or MASTERCARD if you go to the right website.
Bottom line, sports betting is pretty much readily accessible to almost anyone who REALLY wants to bet on games. And racing obviously hasn't been impacted all that much, or they wouldn't be doing a study on the impact IF it becomes legalized in the US.
I don't see current horseplayers abandoning the game for sports...sure, they might bet sports IN ADDITION to racing...and by the way, betting sports isn't easier than betting horses...if it were, Vegas would be overrun with professional sports bettors and there would be no place to live there...EVERYONE would be betting sports for a living...
Obviously, that's not the case...
How many stories have I read over the years of professional poker players blowing their profits in the sports book...more than a few...
