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.
Mid-Atlantic handle rose in March versus the prior month, though the average was essentially flat.
February’s Midlantic average handle was basically flat versus the prior month; Laurel Park led with an average over $2.1 million, while Parx’s increase of 9 percent was tops.
January’s average handle in the mid-Atlantic region was basically flat versus December’s number, though all four operating tracks topped $1 million in average betting.