Racing Demographics in a Nutshell - Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com

Jay Trotter · 02-02-2010, 01:42 PM

Recent NTRA Tour survey results reveal a telling sign for the future of racing.

2,885 people responded to the question of their age:

Under 25: 9 (0.3%)
Age 26-39: 259 (9.0%)
Age 40-55: 1,182 (41.0%)
Over 55: 1,435 (49.7%)

Those are some crazy results!

DJofSD · 02-02-2010, 02:13 PM

This could be interpretted as what age group has the money to be able to play the ponies. I would expect youngsters not to have a lot of money let alone have money to gamble. What are the demographics for poker?

DeanT · 02-02-2010, 02:22 PM

Jay,

This is why most of us want racing to add an exchange model (and use the web more effectively by getting rid of archaic data and user laws). Pari-mutuel is good for racings demo, but young people think it is like watching paint dry.

7 in 10 betfair surfers are under 49.

http://www.quantcast.com/profile/dem...betfair&cols=2

7 in 10 pokerstars surfers are also under 49.

http://www.quantcast.com/profile/dem...erstars&cols=2

Horseplayersbet.com · 02-02-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJofSD

This could be interpretted as what age group has the money to be able to play the ponies. I would expect youngsters not to have a lot of money let alone have money to gamble. What are the demographics for poker?

I would think that probably a very high percentage of those over 40 started when they were in their late teens or early 20's.

Racing missed a generation or two when it decided to ignore the competition.

DJofSD · 02-02-2010, 02:41 PM

Point taken.

Bettowin · 02-02-2010, 03:02 PM

Flip flop those results and you have the demographics for poker. Poker players avoid games that are unbeatable because of the rake so when you ask them about betting horses you might be lucky to get a response.

Not to mention all the intangibles that are not controlled or even made public so it's easy to see why the younger generations don't want to participate.

Stevie Belmont · 02-02-2010, 03:11 PM

If those stats stay the same for another 10-15 years there won't be any horse players left.

I'm in the 9% group

miesque · 02-02-2010, 03:15 PM

From my visits to various tracks around the country I would have to say those stats are dead on. I am going to be turning 38 soon and I am pretty much always in the youngest 10% at any track I am at (with the notable exception of Keeneland). And yes, without getting too morbid I do think racing is losing more players to death faster then it is gaining them.

tzipi · 02-02-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJofSD

This could be interpretted as what age group has the money to be able to play the ponies. I would expect youngsters not to have a lot of money let alone have money to gamble. What are the demographics for poker?

Youngsters HAVE PLENTY of money but use it to play poker,sports,etc. Believe me they spend more on one pot than most people do one one race. Speaking from experience. Go watch poket tournaments now. It's getting ruled by youngsters with "no money".
Are you saying 30 or 25 and under grown men and women dont have jobs or money? They do.

Charli125 · 02-02-2010, 03:26 PM

I'm also in the 9% group and even when I get free tickets I can't even get friends interested in going. They would prefer to play a poker game in someone's garage or watch a college basketball that they bet online.

It's a problem.

tzipi · 02-02-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tzipi

Youngsters HAVE PLENTY of money but use it to play poker,sports,etc. Believe me they spend more on one pot than most people do one one race. Speaking from experience. Go watch poket tournaments now. It's getting ruled by youngsters with "no money".
Are you saying 30 or 25 and under grown men and women dont have jobs or money? They do.

I meant some spend more in a pot or two than most do in 8-9 races.

DeanT · 02-02-2010, 03:31 PM

Imo, 20 to 30 year olds are social beings. When I was that age going to some downtown clubs I would sit there wishing to hear a song with a guitar in it, but I was there for the company.

The games that get younger people are all social: Xbox over the web, role playing games, fantasy football leagues, betfair (playing against another person), poker (sitting at a table with live chat from players all over the world).

The racetrack is social, but it is a in person experience either you like or dont like, and like golf it takes a ton of time.

What's left, imo, is making it social on the web, and pari-mutuel is solitude, not social.

illinoisbred · 02-02-2010, 03:49 PM

They spend more on pot too. I work with quite a few 22-35 yr olds.They seem to have plenty of recreational/disposable funds.I think only 1out of 8 has ever been to the track and none of them are the least bit interested in the sport. They all go to casino boats and prefer the faster action and the game starting when they get there. By and large they think racing is crooked,because thats the stories they hear through the mass media.

tzipi · 02-02-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinoisbred

They spend more on pot too. I work with quite a few 22-35 yr olds.They seem to have plenty of recreational/disposable funds.I think only 1out of 8 has ever been to the track and none of them are the least bit interested in the sport. They all go to casino boats and prefer the faster action and the game starting when they get there. By and large they think racing is crooked,because thats the stories they hear through the mass media.

Compared to other games/sports racing is crooked. When is a poker player your playing against ever trying to lose?

That's what I was saying too, these 22yr olds or 28-30 etc probably have way more money in their pockets than the 55+ do at the track.

Stevie Belmont · 02-02-2010, 04:20 PM

I have taken several of my friends to the track at one time or another. It's hard to explain everything. The one thing I try to do is make sure I can find a winner for them — All the other stuff comes later, if they are interested in finding out more. — if they are willing to find out more.

When I do bring someone new to the track, there is a lot of explaining and a lot questions that are asked through the day...

I took one of my friends to Monmouth several years ago on Suburban day — that was at Belmont. Lemon Drop Kid and Behrens were battling it out that day. Also remember Silverbulletday won at Monmouth that day.

Right after the first race — he asked me how much longer is it gonna last? I said all day. You think were leaving? I don't think so. We have 9 more races to go! I told him racing fans never leave — even when they do.

I tell people — Watch the Kentucky Derby — that's a race that can make someone a racing fan