Quote:
Originally Posted by Imriledup
I've been reading posts here for a couple years now and there are many extremely intelligent posters with some awesome ideas for the racing industry. Just want to get a 2009 recap, what great ideas have been implemented by racetracks so far this year? Anyone have a list?
To my knowledge, no tracks have lowered takeout. More than one smart person has said tracks need to lower takeout, yet no tracks have listened. Why have no tracks listened?
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Woodbine has lowered their triactor takeout from 28.3%, but it is still brutal at 27%.
California decided not to entertain an extra takeout increase.
More ADWs now have more content since HANA began (coincidence or not).
Rebate is becoming less of a dirty word.
More and more people understand the takeout issue now than they did before HANA began.
The thing about change, is that it doesn't happen overnight. We are becoming more and more educated on how the system really works, and what changes are possible, and how we can influence those changes.
As for not representing the majority bettors (brought up on another thread), the board is composed of bettors who have some connection to the industry. We share common goals, and the goals of the average bettor, but we might be more connected than the average bettor because of most of our connections to the industry, which I feel gives us an advantage when it comes to the learning curve, and figuring out what can be done and what is doable.
I can't speak for all board members for sure, but I believe we all share the hope for industry growth through attracting more players/customers/bettors.
The only way that will happen is the lowering the price of gambling on horses. Sure, if the industry is to adopt a maximum takeout of 12-14%, that would be great, but it is unrealistic at this time. But a 14% takeout after rebates for all that want it, that is a possibility....
And yes, in the meantime, the industry needs to clean up their act when it comes to drugs and past posting, and still it is important that all signals be available for all.
But there is so many different state laws, and protectionism that goes on in the industry, many battles need to be fought one at a time.
Take the Arizona internet law for example.
And yes, we are a volunteer organization. We do not make money doing this. Now, I just want to say that I don't believe there is a such thing as altruism. People do things that appear altruistic for at least the positive rush it gives us, even if we do things that appear unselfish with an unemotional face. I also think that humans are driven to preach and do things that they think are the right things to do. It gives us a sense of purpose.
But lets just say that for the most part, the HANA board members are driven by what appears to be altruism.