Track Televisions for Live and Simulcast Racing: “Track operators should take an inventory of where TVs are located and ensure that sufficient TVs of adequate quality (HD, large screen) are available where patrons are located.”
Tracks and simulcast venues need to be told this?
Web sites: “Raceways should review their Web sites and determine what additional information would better serve their fans and make that available… information such as: Simulcast schedules; claims and equipment changes; beginner handicapping information; cancellation and refund polices; takeout rates and public transportation information…”
Tracks and simulcast venues need to be told this?
Simulcast Patron Accommodation: When tracks remain open for simulcasting after the conclusion of racing, steps should be taken to ensure that fans can easily exit the facility, access their automobiles and exit the parking lot.
This is code for safety and security. Ever leave Aqueduct Race Track in the dark after simulcasting? That’s when the real excitement begins.
Scratches & Equipment Changes: “The Racing and Wagering Board should review its rules and regulations regarding scratches and equipment changes. Fans feel that lack of this knowledge in sufficient time undermines racing integrity…”
This is code for poor service and the lack of knowledge about what the customer—read bettor—really needs.
Automated Teller Machines/Customer Service: The issue of automated teller machines (SAMs) was brought up at each track. While it seems track management has encouraged SAM usage to speed up transactions and reduce the number of live tellers needed, there were complaints at each forum about a lack of sufficient live tellers…
“SAM use could be even better encouraged by having available staff nearby to fix machine problems and tutor new and struggling users until they feel comfortable with the technology. At Saratoga Race Course, in particular, fans complained about nonfunctioning machines.”
Tracks need to be told this? In 2013, Saratoga will celebrate its 150th anniversary. Some of those SAM machines could probably use a tune-up.
Rewards Programs: “Track operators should investigate possible implementation of rewards programs for patrons similar to casino rewards programs… While NYRA does have an existing rewards program, it should be reexamined to ascertain how many fans it actually rewards. The Council believes that fans should be rewarded not only for substantial wagering but for regular attendance… and some degree of moderate wagering.”
Meaning: To grow the betting economy from the middle-class out?
Fan Education: Track operators should take education of their fans seriously… ‘Racing 101’ courses for beginners, handicapping aids, new owner seminars...”
Some of this already is being done, and rank-and-file bettors, the lifeline to the racing industry, need to become further sophisticated. There’s no such thing as too much information; show bettors the best way to access data that best suits their style of play and betting comfort zones.
Facility Upgrades: “…Racing fans deserve comfortable areas with modern services to watch races and handicap so that they stay engaged in the sport.”
Tracks and simulcast venues need to be told this?
Signage: “…For example, the customer service office at Belmont Park does not appear to have a sign on it.”
Hard to imagine, I know, but accurate.
Implementation of an “I LOVE NY Racing” promotion: New York State Department of Economic Development focuses on a number of “I Love New York” campaigns.
“The newest initiative, launched earlier this year by Governor Cuomo, expands the “I (heart) New York” campaign to include other activities (e.g. “I (camp) New York,” “I (fish) New York)… New initiative is readily adaptable for horseracing and should be implemented (“I (horserace) New York”).
“The Racing Fan Advisory Council suggests that a small, fractional portion of revenue from wagering handle could be dedicated to develop and support the “I Love New York Horseracing” Campaign.”
Absolutely not to the last portion of this recommendation. The advertising campaign cannot come out of a fractional portion of the betting revenue. You cannot lower takeout and add expenses at the same time.
Besides, New York horseplayers already pay the salaries of SRWB members. If by lowering takeout handle rises, then the state benefits as well from a healthy racing industry. New York State, in its own self-interest, must make an investment in horse racing; that money should come from the state’s advertising/promotional budget that already exists.
As for the campaign’s thrust, I cannot think of a better use of a television campaign than one that promotes world class racing. There is no international sport; diverse, colorful, engaging and intellectually challenging. And what other brand of entertainment offers an opportunity to leave an event with more money than when you arrived?
Is that difficult? Of course. Impossibly difficult? Hardly.
05 Jan 2013 at 04:58 pm | #
John - you should have more comments from readers on these issues. Take Belmont Day for example: a 16 oz. Miller Lite, Coors Lite or Heineken Light was $10.00. All sodas and water were $5.00 and the Hot Dogs were $6.00. It was a warm day and the Lemonade lines were 10-15 deep all afternoon. Space prohibits discussion of another major issue: why NYRA Marketing does not understand the 18-35 generation. See you at the Raceway.
05 Jan 2013 at 05:00 pm | #
Safety and security?
You should try walking to your car about 10pm in the subterranean parking lot for Amsterdam OTB.
05 Jan 2013 at 06:15 pm | #
While there are several things most of us can agree on in principle in this “report”, as a whole, this thing is really poor. This committee was together for 15 months to put out something like this that could have just as easily been slapped together on a weekend. All we get in the form of recommendations is a bunch of “you ought to..."s backed with no data and very little in the way of specifics.
A couple I really enjoyed were the suggestion for a rolling Grand Slam and the need for HD TVs when most signals are not HD. I think the Grand Slam is actually a clever bet, but few seem to realize it is a modified win bet, not a modified P4 and it is not available for the most part off track. As for the HD Tvs, I’m sure many are working in that direction, but what good is an HD TV if the signal isn’t HD? If the tube TV works, the picture will be just as clear on both. What both of these examples show though is how little real research or understanding went into this report.
Let’s be honest as well. This thing is very doubtful to be the impetus of any change. There is basically nothing here that isn’t already known. Further, this committee is out of the Racing and Wagering Board, which won’t exist very soon, and they cared about it so much they never bothered to appoint the fifth member. And speaking of the appointments, which one is the one representing the fan? They call it a Fan council. And don’t tell me it’s Amo.
So yeah, some of these things are relevant, but this was pretty much a useless exercise.
05 Jan 2013 at 06:22 pm | #
There are six SAM machines at the OTB I go to - three work.
Staffing is less than it used to be, but, so is business.
05 Jan 2013 at 08:40 pm | #
I think one of the most important things a track has to do is make its patrons comfortable and give them a reason to go. In New York,there really is no reason to go to Aqueduct. Crowded premises,difficult to watch the races outside.Betting machines,in my opinion are not great. Many times my NYRA card will not go thru quickly.Every report seems like a waste of time. We have been down this road before. Bettors can give you a report in 5 minutes that has more substance.
It is all pretty simple-Improve the facilities,lower takeout,educate new fans and reward old fans.
05 Jan 2013 at 09:33 pm | #
You know Aaron, you came very close to a classic Yogi-ism there. Nobody goes anymore because it’s too crowded....
05 Jan 2013 at 10:45 pm | #
OTM Al-I like that-thanks.It is too crowded and attendance is not good,but we still have Belmont.
06 Jan 2013 at 10:17 pm | #
Mr. Pricci: How do I comment further on blogger Indulto’s most recent commentary, if it has apparently vanished? Why? And, how can it be accessed?
07 Jan 2013 at 05:06 pm | #
WMC, Indulto’s latest work is up again now, just click on the “Players Up” tab. As you probably know, the tabs rotate.
Indulto does not have a listing as a featured HRI blogger. He submits stories when something moves him and, as a reader first, he is not on any particular schedule.
When Indulto’s tab does appear on the lead page, when you click through to the second, “continue reading” screen, there’s an archive in the right column with his past blogs. You can access them there.
Since you mentioned this, there will be some changes at HRI for the better to be instituted in the very near future, more--and diverse--opinion, added content in the overall.
The hope is that you enjoy it and that we continue to provide food for thought, maybe even make a difference every once in a while for the good of the game .
Thanks for asking.
07 Jan 2013 at 08:48 pm | #
Is it unfair to say that this report, which restates the obvious, can be summed up by, “They know. They just don’t care.”
P.S. on safety and security: When Calder was just a race track, the parking lots weren’t as well lit as subway tunnels. Since the racino opened, they are lit like Times Square on New Year’s Eve. What’s the message to horse players?
10 Jan 2013 at 06:11 am | #
The issue of automated teller machines (SAMs) was brought up at each track. Rech Chemical Co.Ltd http://www.rqsulfates.com
11 Jan 2013 at 12:55 am | #
wmc,
Even when the tab is not visible, you can always get back to any blog thread you are commenting in by using the web address supplied in the response notification email you received from the HRI webmaster—provided you haven’t already deleted it.
I don’t know if your ISP displays that address as a ready-to-click-on link, but I have to copy and paste it into the browser’s website address box.
For that reason, I copy the clickable title link name at the top of the page into a Microsoft Word Document containing a list of all HRI threads I’ve participated in.