Re: [Derby] Fanduel TV

We can't or the industry cannot look back. They have to bond together at this point in timeand understand this loss could bury the game. Racing without getting in bed with casinos was never going to see the attendance it once did, I don't disagree with anything that is written below. But here we are. racing needs the exposure it got from FDTV and should it not be replaced we and they will see even more demise. Racing is built for OFF TRACK no matter where you play it's not just the game it is where we are as a society globally. Fans are going to show up on big days but it is much easier for the real players to do so in a much more convenient way throughout the year. Adapt, learn have the smarts to move this entity forward.
Chuck


Terry-you were one of the first/maybe even the first people to see the harm
that casinos at racetracks has done, and is so glaringly obviously doing.
Not to mention the massive decrease in attendance that came with it, nor
the massive decline in attendance that OTB’s, and later ADW’s have played a
huge role in as well, with host fees making the tracks less than half of
they would from an on track bet.
All those things you’ve just said. But it’s really sad. And most of the
industry is still completely disillusioned-partly because they are
receiving a paycheck from it all.
smh



On Friday, April 3, 2026 at 09:45:45 PM EDT, thomas dejnozka via Derby wrote:

Terry-you were one of the first/maybe even the first people to see the harm
that casinos at racetracks has done, and is so glaringly obviously doing.
Not to mention the massive decrease in attendance that came with it, nor
the massive decline in attendance that OTB’s, and later ADW’s have played a
huge role in as well, with host fees making the tracks less than half of
they would from an on track bet.
All those things you’ve just said. But it’s really sad. And most of the
industry is still completely disillusioned-partly because they are
receiving a paycheck from it all.
smh

On Fri, Apr 3, 2026 at 9:37 PM Terry Bjork via Derby
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.> wrote:

> 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
>
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