Driven by record wagering on the Kentucky Derby, national wagering handle increased slightly in May versus the prior year.
Wagering handle on US Thoroughbred races fell sharply in April, down over 11% versus April 2023, and is down over six percent for the year to date.
National wagering handle declined by nearly four percent in 2023 versus the prior year, and the number of races conducted was down five percent.
National wagering handle continued its downward trend in October and is down nearly five percent year-over-year.
Wagering handle in North America jumped more than 10% in 2021 to its highest level in over a decade, even as races and field size both declined.
Buoyed by more than $10 million in purses, Colonial Downs set its all-time handle record at the just-completed meet, with daily average betting of over $2.2 million.
Though the pandemic led to many fewer racedays in 2020 than in 2019, national wagering handle held steady – though what that means is open to debate.
Handle in the mid-Atlantic region fell in October versus the same month in 2016, though the daily average per track rose by 5 percent.
Mid-Atlantic handle was up solidly in July versus July 2016, with Charles Town, Delaware, Laurel, and Parx all showing gains.
Charles Town in April recorded the highest per-race wagering in its 84-year history.
