There is one area of our business that is bucking most of the trends in our industry in that it is experiencing significant GROWTH on a year to year basis: Handicapping contests. Whether it be a free on-line contest sponsored by the NHC or the $10K buy-in Breeders Cup Betting Challenge there are positives from handicapping contests that affect so many segments and organizations in thoroughbred racing.
By: Bruce Turner
THE PLUSES OF HANDICAPPING CONTESTS
It has been well documented that on-site “live money” tournaments have a dramatic positive effect on the day’s on-track handle. For example at the 2014 Breeders Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) the 252 on track players pumped $3.4 million through the pari-mutual windows!! That was 17% of the TOTAL handle bet on track for the two days!!
The National Handicapping Championship (NHC) Tour accounted for a total of $1.8 million in prize money in 2014. There were close to 5000 tour players vying for those dollars throughout the year at both on track and on line tourneys. The NHC has enjoyed double digit growth the past several years.
HANDICAPPING CONTESTS – THE BENEFICIARIES
The trickle down effect from increased handle affects many areas in a positive way. The track itself, the state, and the horseman all share in the additional revenues that are generated from increased wagering.
The exposure generated by the handicapping contest tour (especially the January NHC Championship held in Las Vegas) has had a positive effect on several industry participants. Besides the aforementioned racetracks who host many of these handicapping contests throughout the year the NTRA (National Thoroughbred Racing Association) captures monies from the tour and those dollars are used to legislative work on behalf of the racing and breeding industry.
Great Handicapping Contest Video from the NHC Tour
It is refreshing to see that a segment of our industry is growing rapidly and that there are signs that we are only scratching the surface. I believe that continued significant growth in handicapping contests in on the horizon.
If you want to know more about horse racing handicapping contests here are some useful links:
Online Handicapping Contests
https://www.horsetourneys.com/
National Thoroughbred Racing Association handicapping contests
Daily Racing Form public handicapping contests