gambling

Over the last few weeks, the TDN has asked "racing's best and brightest" to give predictions regarding what the state of the sport will be ten years from now. Considering that most of the responses came from industry insiders who derive their living from the sport and cannot afford for things to worsen, the responses were not that surprising. Many projected a rosy future for the sport. The same sport that has many problems, some of them that will be very difficult to solve. What was lacking in the series...

What will horse racing look like in 2036 from a horseplayer. I see TDN has had some of the major power brokers respond, most of whom didn't mention anything about the gamblers. Last I checked the racetrack ecosystem, maintenance/upkeep, improvements, purses, etc. are paid by takeout (which is a percent of handle bet, for the owners out there that I shockingly have found out a vast majority of don't know) and subsidies. I responded on my X account about the lack of horseplayer representation in this hypothetical racing question of...

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has released a new campaign advocating for passage of a bill that would repeal a wagering tax as part of legislation passed by Congress earlier this year, the NTRA announced Tuesday. As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed into law July 4, there was a tax change regarding wagering losses--reducing the deduction from 100% to 90%. In response, Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr has introduced the WAGER Act (Winnings and Gains Expense Restoration Act), new legislation which would restore the deduction back...

One bill designed to restore the gambling losses tax deduction to 100% is languishing in committee and has, for all intents and purposes, politically flat-lined. The giant tax and spending bill signed into law by President Donald Trump in July caps gambling loss deductions to 90% of winnings (from 100%)--a provision set to go into effect next year. Industry leaders have warned this rate change could hit horse racing hard through reduced revenues from gambling dollars. Those jurisdictions with no supplemental purse revenues, like California, are especially vulnerable to the...

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) players can now bet on live horse races across the province by accessing Woodbine Entertainment Group's (WEG) horse racing wagering product through OLG.ca and the OLG app. "We are excited to offer access to this experience to our online players, providing another way for them to engage in the thrilling sport of horse racing," said Dave Pridmore, OLG's Chief Gaming Officer. "This collaboration represents an important step in our mandate of supporting the sport and a vibrant, competitive and sustainable horse racing industry in...

Rep. Dina Titus, a Democratic Congresswoman from the gambling mecca of Nevada, has introduced what is being called the FAIR BET Act, which would restore a gambler's right to deduct 100 percent of his or her losses from gambling winnings. Titus is the co-chair of the Congressional Gaming Caucus. The latest version of the Trump bill stunned gamblers, racetracks, casinos and sports bettors when it became clear that a player could only deduct 90% of their losses from the winnings. Under the scenario, a gambler that won $1 million and...

TwinSpires.com will hold an inaugural Royal Ascot Challenge Series, which will offer horseplayers opportunities to compete for cash prizes as well as potential seats at upcoming tournaments, the company announced Thursday. The first four tournaments, scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, through Friday, June 20, will serve as Royal Ascot "feeders" for the grand finale, the Royal Ascot Challenge held Saturday, June 21. Prizes for the Royal Ascot Challenge include cash and a potential seat in the upcoming Stephen Foster Betting Challenge June 28. "Each year American horseplayers have become increasingly...

Affinity Interactive, the parent company of Daily Racing Form  has sold its advance-deposit wagering platform, DRF Bets, to 1/ST TECHNOLOGY who has rebranded the product as 1/ST BET PRO, the company announced Tuesday. Affinity Interactive and 1/ST TECHNOLOGY have partnered since 2011 on DRF Bets, with Xpressbet providing back-end technology, wagering, pathways, customer service, and data security. Tuesday's acquisition marks the next phase in a longstanding relationship between the two organizations. Customers of DRF will experience a seamless and secure transition to 1/ST BET PRO, with no changes to their...

My first trip to a Thoroughbred racetrack came in the summer of 1961 at Ellis Park. At the time, I was 16, closing in on 17, and Kelso was four, closing in on the second of five consecutive Horse of the Year titles. Kelso never raced anywhere near Ellis, but his enduring class was such that he ranked among the sporting world's most recognizable heroes of the day. The New York Yankees' pinstriped pair of Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, in their pursuit of Babe Ruth's single-season home run record,...

TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack provides analysis for Saturday's pair of GI Kentucky Derby preps--the GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby and GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks. GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby - After being offered in a pair of maiden claimers at two, #9 Instant Replay (Maximum Security) really elevated his game for Brad Cox in his 3-year-old debut, closing impressively (albeit into a hot pace) from last of six to win with authority (came home in :31) by five lengths in an optional claimer at Fair Grounds Feb. 17. He should...

FanDuel TV has launched "The Comeback With Craig Carton," a new show focused on problem gambling recovery hosted by FanDuel's responsible gaming ambassador and FS1's "Breakfast Ball" Craig Carton. Carton sits down with those who have experienced the highs and lows of gambling addiction to amplify their stories, break down the stigma surrounding gambling disorder, raise awareness of support resources for individuals and their families, and show that recovery is possible. "As someone who has personally navigated the challenges of gambling addiction, I understand the impact it can have on...

After running a lengthy March 2 opinion piece by Noah Shachtman that questioned why so much money from slot machines, casinos and other subsidies was being to paid to what Shachtman describes as a dying industry in horse racing, the New York Times let its readers have their say. Saturday's edition included five letters to the editor, all from people reacting to a piece entitled "Dead Athletes. Empty Stands. Why Are We Paying Billions to Keep This Sport Alive?" Five letters were published, including one from NTRA CEO Tom Rooney...