The off-track sector in 2008 accounted for 89.1% of U.S. handle and 88.9%
of North American handle, both figures up slightly from the year before.
The economic downturn and periodic disruptions in wagering, due to discord
concerning rights fees for advance deposit wagering, contributed to a 7.3%
decline in pari-mutuel handle on Thoroughbred races in the United States in 2008.
Combined North American handle declined 7.2%.
Pari-Mutuel Handle
UNITED STATES*
CANADA*
PUERTO RICO*
Year
On Track
Off Track
Total
% Change
On Track
Off Track
Total
On Track
Off Track
Total
Total*
1990
-
-
9,385
1.1
-
-
823
-
-
-
10,208
1991
-
-
9,393
0.1
-
-
804
-
-
-
10,198
1992
-
-
9,639
2.6
-
-
770
-
-
-
10,409
1993
-
-
9,600
-0.4
-
-
731
-
-
-
10,331
1994
-
-
9,897
3.1
-
-
681
-
-
-
10,578
1995
-
-
10,429
5.4
-
-
795
-
-
-
11,224
1996
2,944
8,683
11,627
0.0
259
383
642
10
257
267
12,536
1997
2,703
9,839
12,542
7.9
217
310
527
9
249
258
13,327
1998
2,498
10,617
13,115
4.6
188
310
498
7
185
192
13,805
1999
2,359
11,365
13,724
4.6
161
278
439
7
238
245
14,408
2000
2,270
12,051
14,321
4.4
150
325
475
10
236
246
15,042
2001
2,112
12,487
14,599
1.9
153
387
540
8
208
216
15,355
2002
2,029
13,033
15,062
3.2
153
414
567
8
221
229
15,858
2003
1,902
13,278
15,180
0.8
139
397
536
8
218
226
15,942
2004
1,860
13,239
15,099
-0.5
137
364
501
8
228
236
15,836
2005
1,741
12,820
14,561
-3.6
144
424
568
8
239
247
15,376
2006
1,688
13,097
14,785
1.5
109
419
528
8
229
237
15,550
2007
1,670
13,055
14,725
-0.4
132
375
507
8
206
214
15,446
2008
1,487
12,161
13,648
-7.3
96
393
489
7
188
195
14,332
* Dollars in millions
In some instances, totals may not equal the sum of on-track and off-track figures due to rounding.
Includes worldwide commingled wagers on races in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
Sources: Equibase Company LLC, CHRIMS (Comprehensive Horse Racing Information Management Systems), Association of Racing Commissioners International and Hipodromo Camarero
