Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) has announced that handle on Woodbine’s 2012 live Thoroughbred meet, which concluded on December 16, showed impressive growth over the 2011 season.
The 156-day meet saw an “all-sources” wagering total of $453,865,564, up 7.2% over the $423,209,365 wagered on the 165 dates offered in 2011. The numbers are even more impressive on a per card basis. Last year, an average of $2,564,905 was bet per card. In 2012, an average of $2,909,394 was recorded, an excellent 13.4% hike.
It is the fourth consecutive year of handle increases on the Thoroughbred season. Wagering rose 7.5% in 2011 over 2010, and increased 8.9 % in 2010 over 2009. It also increased 7% in 2009 over 2008. All-sources wagering on Woodbine’s thoroughbred product is up over 34% since 2008.
Wagering in WEG’s home market held relatively steady, slipping just 1.6% per card. The gains primarily came from international exports, including another significant market share increase from the U.S. outlets.
“We’re seeing legitimate interest in our racing programs in Toronto, across the country and internationally,” said Nick Eaves, WEG’s President & Chief Executive Officer. “We’re proud of the quality of our racing product and the positive momentum that we are experiencing with it. We are very thankful for the support and loyalty from our horsepeople and our increasing fan base, particularly in these challenging times.”
Customer support for racing in Toronto couldn’t come at a more important time. In February 2012, the Ontario government announced the abrupt cancellation of the Slots-at-Racetracks Program, which has played an important role in the recent success of Woodbine’s racing product and the economic impacts it has generated.
“While we are pleased with the results of our 2012 thoroughbred racing season, we are extremely concerned about the lack of certainty which exists for 2013,” said Eaves. “The continued success of Woodbine’s live racing program and the significant employment and economic impacts which come with it are dependent on a new partnership between the industry and the Province of Ontario. We remain optimistic that such a new arrangement can be achieved. We continue to work with the Government toward this end and hope to be able to provide the necessary certainty soon for all stakeholders in the province.”
Standardbred racing continues at Woodbine through the winter, including a special Boxing Day card that features a 1:00 p.m. post-time. A New Year’s Eve program will also be offered at 1:00 p.m. In the new year, racing will be conducted on a four-day-a-week basis (first race post-time is set for 7:25 p.m. on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights) through the end of March.
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