Re: [Derby] Fanduel TV
First the various ADWs like TVG wormed their way into various states and
sucked all the handle out of the state racing programs' OTBs and even
racetracks.
Then the OTBs and even some racetracks closed because there was no
handle revenue to support them anymore, and the remaining racing bettors
were left with no choice but to watch the sport on channels like HRTV
and TVG.
Out in the hinterlands even until today you'll be surprised by running
across TVG / FanDuel TV playing on a TV in some little bar or gaming
machine casino somewhere. Often the same bars that used to be OTBs,
dutifully playing the races at the request of patrons including the few
remaining horse bettors sitting on their barstools betting races on the
their phones via Twin Spires or FanDuel or whatever, and providing an
extra screen of entertainment to the bar in general. All while those
bettors ship most of their handle dollars out of state to the big ADWs
with a few paltry "source fee" dollars left over to support what's left
of the home state's racing program. If any.
But now no FanDuel TV either so poof! no more showing racing in all
those little backwaters across the country. Will those bettors keep
betting when all they have left is their phone screen? Will anyone new
be exposed to horse races? They sure don't have local tracks anymore.
If only, back in the day, someone had come up with a proposal for a
single industry owned ADW hub and racing channel dedicated to pushing
the content of all tracks out into the hinterlands. Like maybe backed by
some national racing marketing association. Dedicated to growing the
customer base and handle instead of just bleeding it dry while they could.
But it really doesn't matter anymore. All the big players have
successfully transformed themselves into casino companies. Racing was
the wedge in but is no longer necessary.
Terry
_______________________________________________
Derby mailing list
Posting: Derby at lists.derbylist.com
Sub/Unsub: http://lists.derbylist.com/listinfo.cgi/derby-derbylist.com
sucked all the handle out of the state racing programs' OTBs and even
racetracks.
Then the OTBs and even some racetracks closed because there was no
handle revenue to support them anymore, and the remaining racing bettors
were left with no choice but to watch the sport on channels like HRTV
and TVG.
Out in the hinterlands even until today you'll be surprised by running
across TVG / FanDuel TV playing on a TV in some little bar or gaming
machine casino somewhere. Often the same bars that used to be OTBs,
dutifully playing the races at the request of patrons including the few
remaining horse bettors sitting on their barstools betting races on the
their phones via Twin Spires or FanDuel or whatever, and providing an
extra screen of entertainment to the bar in general. All while those
bettors ship most of their handle dollars out of state to the big ADWs
with a few paltry "source fee" dollars left over to support what's left
of the home state's racing program. If any.
But now no FanDuel TV either so poof! no more showing racing in all
those little backwaters across the country. Will those bettors keep
betting when all they have left is their phone screen? Will anyone new
be exposed to horse races? They sure don't have local tracks anymore.
If only, back in the day, someone had come up with a proposal for a
single industry owned ADW hub and racing channel dedicated to pushing
the content of all tracks out into the hinterlands. Like maybe backed by
some national racing marketing association. Dedicated to growing the
customer base and handle instead of just bleeding it dry while they could.
But it really doesn't matter anymore. All the big players have
successfully transformed themselves into casino companies. Racing was
the wedge in but is no longer necessary.
Terry
_______________________________________________
Derby mailing list
Posting: Derby at lists.derbylist.com
Sub/Unsub: http://lists.derbylist.com/listinfo.cgi/derby-derbylist.com
