Do ADW's hurt or help HR ?

[Fredo]

I just read a decent article in the DRF about OTB's in NY.Looking at the big picture,do ADW's and or OTB's hurt or help racing ? I live in the SFV which has close to 1.6 million residents yet there is not one OTB in the valley. I'm probably better off the way I've been capping lately. I'm just surprised the closest OTB is out in Santa Clarita 25 miles away.I love betting from home but do miss collecting at the window.After betting from home for years now I don't miss live racing that much.

[Nwhorseman]

I think in some ways it helps, and in others it hurts. Overall, I think it helps more than it hurts. The way it hurts is that it does take away from people coming out to the track, which means that the track is getting 3 or 4% of wagers instead of 15 to 30% (in Penn ) for when people are making bets at the track or OTB, as many tracks are affiliated with the OTBs.

however, I have to think that many players play more often and make more bets if betting at home than if they were going out to the track. First of all, at home you have access to wagering from morning til night. It's very difficult to stay at the track or OTB (or anywhere really) for more than a few hours without getting bored or just wanting a change of scenery.

If someone just wants to make a quick bet, or has an hour to kill, they can do that when betting with ADW, whereas if they had to drive to the track, park, and walk in, they just wouldn't go.

One way I think ADW's do hurt the player is that they will likely make more bets per hour than if they were at the track. With the ease of ADW wagering and the fact that so many of them offer more tracks to wager on than the tracks or OTB's do, more wagering opportunities will often lead to more wagering, which eventually could lead to faster bankroll burnout (as most players do not win in this or any gambling game). Plus with the added stimulation and faster play, similar to slots, the rate of addiction is usually reached faster than with live or OTB betting. We've seen this with poker in recent years, the number of poker players who meet the DSM IV requirements for compulsive problem gamblers has gone up drastically since the advent of online poker.

[Andyc]

I just read a decent article in the DRF about OTB's in NY.Looking at the big picture,do ADW's and or OTB's hurt or help racing ? I live in the SFV which has close to 1.6 million residents yet there is not one OTB in the valley. I'm probably better off the way I've been capping lately. I'm just surprised the closest OTB is out in Santa Clarita 25 miles away.I love betting from home but do miss collecting at the window.After betting from home for years now I don't miss live racing that much.

When I opened my first ADW account I thought I had gone to heaven. The convenience the cost, it was all good. But even with all the good that the ADWs brought it took away what I have come to realize was one of the most important elements of the game, the people. The people who I would see at the track and OTB on a regular basis were like an extended family. Sitting in front of a computer and a TV just doesn't have the appeal that arguing with your buddies has. Unfortunately, most of my old buddies are also sitting in front of their computers and TV and the OTBs and track have much lower attendance. It tends to sap the passion right out of the game.

[Hollywoodmike]

I just read a decent article in the DRF about OTB's in NY.Looking at the big picture,do ADW's and or OTB's hurt or help racing ? I live in the SFV which has close to 1.6 million residents yet there is not one OTB in the valley. I'm probably better off the way I've been capping lately. I'm just surprised the closest OTB is out in Santa Clarita 25 miles away.I love betting from home but do miss collecting at the window.After betting from home for years now I don't miss live racing that much.

When I opened my first ADW account I thought I had gone to heaven. The convenience the cost, it was all good. But even with all the good that the ADWs brought it took away what I have come to realize was one of the most important elements of the game, the people. The people who I would see at the track and OTB on a regular basis were like an extended family. Sitting in front of a computer and a TV just doesn't have the appeal that arguing with your buddies has. Unfortunately, most of my old buddies are also sitting in front of their computers and TV and the OTBs and track have much lower attendance. It tends to sap the passion right out of the game.

You hit the nail right on the head AndyC!!! It's the interaction with the people at the track that is priceless!! Even the
arguments and disagreements among them are priceless!!!!

[Hollywoodmike]

that's why these boards are important Mikey. Its been a personal peeve of mine for some while.
All the adw don't allow you to chat with other bettors I guess they think they will connive and scheme and go to am west with rebates LOL.

[PeteMo]

When I was in College in the mid to late 80's at SDSU, I would once every couple months go down the Caliente to play the horses, it was such an ordeal to get there. I could not believe when it got to where you could play at Del Mar. I used to go Surfside on Saturdays, probably went most Saturdays for 5 years at least. But now once I had access to online I think I have been to Surfside maybe 3 times in 10 years. I have a sweet set up in my office at home... I live maybe 10 minutes from Surfside, and now I just have zero interest in going there, but I would have to say if they got rid of ADW's I would probably go back to the off track maybe a couple times a month. I wonder sometimes what would happen if it just came to an end, no ADW's, No TVG/ HRTV? , I like racing enough that I would still go, but I think it would not be pretty to see the results of it all going away after we have had it so easy.

[So.cal.fan]

Great post, Andy C.
I share your thoughts on this.
Racing is not the same. On weekends at Santa Anita, Del Mar and to some extent HP, it's still fun to go out, if it's a good card and good weather, but.....I agree...it just ain't the same.

[Vince P]

Great post, Andy C.
I share your thoughts on this.
Racing is not the same. On weekends at Santa Anita, Del Mar and to some extent HP, it's still fun to go out, if it's a good card and good weather, but.....I agree...it just ain't the same.

Agree.

I still go to GoldentGatebytheBay about 2-3 times a month – even when I'm not riding, often taking college students and trying to turn them into degenerates like myself.

Very hard to get them addicted by having them wager from home or during class.

But I have to admit, the funniest times of my life were going to the Meadowlands or NY OTBs with the late John M from this forum. Nuffin ever will give you a real degenerate "track" feeling like being at a Brooklyn or Staten Island OTB or the Meadowlands at night and wagering like a dam fool and watch real nutjobs there talk about horses.

Vince P

[Fredo]

About 12,13 years ago I posted a trip report about South Philly. In that report was my experience at a OTB on Broad Street. Just like Vinny says it was an experience of a lifetime. I have been in quite a few otb's all over the Midwest and NYC. The one in Philly had to be the loudest,most opinionated book I ever been to.These guys were screaming at the tv's like crazy people.I was cracking up." Aww cmon,madon'.Did you see what that mamaluke just did with my horse? I'm gonna poke his mudder,fugger eyes out with an ice pick,I promise you" It was full of wise guys and wannabe wise guys. They still were running around in their Nike and Adidas sweat suits with the wife beater shirts and gold chains. Looked like an open casting call for Good Fellas. I actually had a decent day . The girl I was visiting Angela knew most of the connected guys.Then she invites her cousin Carmine over to the bar and he asks me "Do you want to put your winnings on the street working for you? " ' No thanks,I'm leaving on Tue" I totally agree nothing can replace the experience of the track and all the gambler characters.

[MikeFromGardena]

Going to the track is the best. Staying at home or going to an ADW rather than going to the track is like incest: you are sacrificing quality for convenience.