Alot of the AR's say that the tracks stands are empty, that the tracks are losing money and the greyhound racing industry is dying and will be gone in the near future.
I would like to hear from both sides on this issue.
Full Version: Are the stands empty?
I have been to 3 tracks so far, and the stands are not empty. However they are not full either. Depends on what night you go. The question is why? I really don't think the AR people have much of an impact on that. Greyhound racing is an entertainment. In the entertainment industry you have to come up with new ideas all the time to keep peoples interest. If its starts to become the same old thing people will say "been there done that". For some reason the racetracks do not put much money into advertising and promotion. They seem to not be able to come up with new and different activities to keep people coming back. 
Now the trend is to get the slots in the tracks. This is fine and right now we are counting on this to keep the sport alive. I wish that we didn't have to do that.
Now the trend is to get the slots in the tracks. This is fine and right now we are counting on this to keep the sport alive. I wish that we didn't have to do that.
Thanks Fast Dog for your post.
We were at Orange Park last Monday night and there were about maybe 2,000 or so people there. It wasn't that busy. Compared to last year when we were there, the same time of the year it was just a tad busier. I did see signs for slot room coming soon and areas being renovated for that.
Will slots bring in more people?
We were at Orange Park last Monday night and there were about maybe 2,000 or so people there. It wasn't that busy. Compared to last year when we were there, the same time of the year it was just a tad busier. I did see signs for slot room coming soon and areas being renovated for that.
Will slots bring in more people?
I really do think with the slots the attendance will pick up. At least it would give the tracks the option of extending their hours that the doors are open. The nice thing about that is the slots can offer a variety, and doesn't require a lot of homework to win at like the paramutuals.
It will definitely help raise the point payout. We are looking forward to that in Kansas City. I read in the Review where Flagler was approved for slots. Thats wonderful. It's actually the 1st piece of good news the industry has had for a while. It could be the sign of things to come.
It will definitely help raise the point payout. We are looking forward to that in Kansas City. I read in the Review where Flagler was approved for slots. Thats wonderful. It's actually the 1st piece of good news the industry has had for a while. It could be the sign of things to come.
Hey D2P, what is it that you think we as the average fan or owner, can do to increase the popularity of our sport? Is there something that can be done to erase bad PR.
Maybe I should have made this a new topic.
Maybe I should have made this a new topic.
I have lots of ideas.
The industry and tracks have to do more promotions and advertising then they are now. Even if that means spending some money. Do TV ads, billboards signs.
Hire some people to go out and bring in Big Sponsors like, Pepsi, Coke, Beer Companies, Home Depot etc.
Have more family nights, college nights, like they do at baseball games.
Have tracks compete against each other by having promotional stakes races with a grand prize for the winning dogs. I.E. Home Depot $30,000 Derby
The NGA needs to hire new people with more creative ideas. The old timers really don't care.
I have lots more ideas. I wish I could help.
The industry and tracks have to do more promotions and advertising then they are now. Even if that means spending some money. Do TV ads, billboards signs.
Hire some people to go out and bring in Big Sponsors like, Pepsi, Coke, Beer Companies, Home Depot etc.
Have more family nights, college nights, like they do at baseball games.
Have tracks compete against each other by having promotional stakes races with a grand prize for the winning dogs. I.E. Home Depot $30,000 Derby
The NGA needs to hire new people with more creative ideas. The old timers really don't care.
I have lots more ideas. I wish I could help.
Oh, I mentioned some of these ideas on another board and all the race people poo poo my ideas. That's when I said it'll will not get any better.
I personally think your ideas are great D2P. Advertisment needs to be done to get the word out.
I think it can be done, but someone in the field has got to stand up and do it. The people who run these tracks have to quit sitting around feeling sorry for themselves saying "why aren't people coming", have got to get off their butts and get the word out. They can do it.
I think it can be done, but someone in the field has got to stand up and do it. The people who run these tracks have to quit sitting around feeling sorry for themselves saying "why aren't people coming", have got to get off their butts and get the word out. They can do it.
Slots or not, greyhound racing is dying. Nobody has any interest in it anymore and you can see that at the different tracks. Not a lot of people there and betting.
| QUOTE (dad2paisley @ Mar 14 2008, 10:21 PM) |
| Alot of the AR's say that the tracks stands are empty, that the tracks are losing money and the greyhound racing industry is dying and will be gone in the near future. I would like to hear from both sides on this issue. |
Some tracks don't even have space to get track side, several others build walls to keep the gamblers from even seeing the track. I think that sums it up pretty well.
I think that's a shame. Seing dogs racing is a sight to behold and a beautiful sight.
| QUOTE (dad2paisley @ Mar 15 2008, 10:58 AM) |
| I have lots of ideas. The industry and tracks have to do more promotions and advertising then they are now. Even if that means spending some money. Do TV ads, billboards signs. Hire some people to go out and bring in Big Sponsors like, Pepsi, Coke, Beer Companies, Home Depot etc. Have more family nights, college nights, like they do at baseball games. Have tracks compete against each other by having promotional stakes races with a grand prize for the winning dogs. I.E. Home Depot $30,000 Derby The NGA needs to hire new people with more creative ideas. The old timers really don't care. I have lots more ideas. I wish I could help. |
Last year(and the year before) we were all talking about The Million. This year is was cancelled. If the people in racing won't generate excitement what do we have to expect?
Poker, slot machines and table games.
I was so ticked off about the Million not happening. I watch online every year.
| QUOTE (dad2paisley @ Mar 17 2008, 09:03 PM) |
| I was so ticked off about the Million not happening. I watch online every year. |
AGREED!
| QUOTE (FastRunner @ Mar 17 2008, 08:59 PM) |
| Some tracks don't even have space to get track side, several others build walls to keep the gamblers from even seeing the track. I think that sums it up pretty well. |
What tracks are they? I never saw that in my travels to different tracks in the USA.
Name one track you've been to where you can see the track while playing cards or the slots. I can name a dozen that could have added windows to allow a sight of the dogs but instead chose not to.
Also, almost every track that added gaming has even built a separate enterance for gamblers so they don't even have to enter the track area.
Plans for the new track going up in Daytona Beach, FL has no trackside viewing or even a grandstand to watch the dogs.
Also, almost every track that added gaming has even built a separate enterance for gamblers so they don't even have to enter the track area.
Plans for the new track going up in Daytona Beach, FL has no trackside viewing or even a grandstand to watch the dogs.
I will really be upset if OP does this if they get slots. I enjoy watching the races from inside, the sky boxes and of course close up near the track.
You're safe Tom, OP won't alter the exisitng structure much for poker and slots. Like the other tracks in Florida like Melbourne and Palm Beach, they'll simply remodel or add a backoom. Daytona is unique in that they are relocating.
Good, because that is a real nice track.
Hadn't been to OP in a few years. I like that track, nice people there that run it.
| QUOTE (FastRunner @ Mar 17 2008, 08:59 PM) |
Some tracks don't even have space to get track side, several others build walls to keep the gamblers from even seeing the track. I think that sums it up pretty well. I think that's a shame. Seing dogs racing is a sight to behold and a beautiful sight. |
There is a very good reason that they do this. There is a term called velocity in business which in simple terms relates to the amount of return per customer per hour. The amount of money gambled and the take from someone playing slots or poker is much greater than if they were playing the dogs. They don't want those customers wandering away from the tables or slots to spend time and fewer dollars at the track
This is why casinos tend not to have windows to the outside or clocks on the walls. They do not want people getting distracted from gambling at the games that they get the highest return from.
Track owners that have been able to get other forms of games are probably praying for the day that they can shed the racing and expand on slots. poker and any other opportunities.
QUOTE (fbwjack @ Apr 14 2008, 07:51 AM)
| QUOTE (FastRunner @ Mar 17 2008, 08:59 PM) |
Some tracks don't even have space to get track side, several others build walls to keep the gamblers from even seeing the track. I think that sums it up pretty well. I think that's a shame. Seing dogs racing is a sight to behold and a beautiful sight. |
There is a very good reason that they do this. There is a term called velocity in business which in simple terms relates to the amount of return per customer per hour. The amount of money gambled and the take from someone playing slots or poker is much greater than if they were playing the dogs. They don't want those customers wandering away from the tables or slots to spend time and fewer dollars at the track
This is why casinos tend not to have windows to the outside or clocks on the walls. They do not want people getting distracted from gambling at the games that they get the highest return from.
Track owners that have been able to get other forms of games are probably praying for the day that they can shed the racing and expand on slots. poker and any other opportunities.
Good post there. So, you are in FL? and around the tracks to know this?
Any other insiders who can add more or what you are seeing happening first hand?
QUOTE (allforgreys @ Apr 14 2008, 08:56 AM)
| QUOTE (fbwjack @ Apr 14 2008, 07:51 AM) | ||
There is a very good reason that they do this. There is a term called velocity in business which in simple terms relates to the amount of return per customer per hour. The amount of money gambled and the take from someone playing slots or poker is much greater than if they were playing the dogs. They don't want those customers wandering away from the tables or slots to spend time and fewer dollars at the track This is why casinos tend not to have windows to the outside or clocks on the walls. They do not want people getting distracted from gambling at the games that they get the highest return from. Track owners that have been able to get other forms of games are probably praying for the day that they can shed the racing and expand on slots. poker and any other opportunities. |
Good post there. So, you are in FL? and around the tracks to know this?
Any other insiders who can add more or what you are seeing happening first hand?
Nope, not an insider or from Fla. but part of my job includes evaluating industries and companies.
The contruction techniques that many of these tracks are using follow a general standard model of casinos. The idea is to make them as self contained as possible so people do not have to leave for any of their needs. This is why food options are right on site and you don't even have to leave your seat to get a drink.
It is not in the track owners best financial interest to try and cultivate a new generation of paramutuel gamblers. It is too time consuming and takes time away from the real cash cow of slots and poker. They want people feeding the slots for hours on end without ever leaving the building.
Because of political compromises some tracks have been successful at getting slots and poker. Believe me, they see their future there and not in trying to rebuild a dog racing fan base.
TV News Story on Daytona
What stuck me was: "The greyhounds are likely to be secondary to the other activities, such as poker and race simulcast areas."
What stuck me was: "The greyhounds are likely to be secondary to the other activities, such as poker and race simulcast areas."
Interesting.
| QUOTE (dad2paisley @ Jun 19 2008, 08:50 PM) |
| Interesting. |
The place is poker room where they run dogs out in the backyard. No grandstand, no trackside set up.
No wonder they no longer charge anyone to come see the dogs run.
That's to bad. 
| QUOTE (FastRunner @ Jun 20 2008, 08:10 PM) |
| The place is poker room where they run dogs out in the backyard. No grandstand, no trackside set up. No wonder they no longer charge anyone to come see the dogs run. |
Actually they have to pay an adimission tax to the state on everyone that goes in- so actually they are paying people to go watch the dogs.