Total pari-mutuel handle on U.S. Thoroughbred races in 2009 declined 9.8% while combined North American handle fell 9.5%. The off-track sector accounted for 89.2% of U.S. handle and 89.1% of North American handle, both slight increases from the year before.
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
2009
1,325
10,990
12,315
-9.8
87
403
490
6
162
168
12,973
* 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