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Lower Takeout Makes Difference, Officials Say

Lower pari-mutuel takeout rates can lead to more money for racetracks as well as bettors, according to a panel of experts gathered at the International Simulcast Conference Oct. 4 in Arizona.

Calif. Track Execs Ask For Lower Takout

The presidents of Santa Anita and Hollywood Park have asked the Thoroughbred Owners of California to reduce takout on Daily Double, exacta, quinella, and Pick 5 wagers.

Price Sensitive - By Eric Mitchell

Raising takeout is risky considering racing's place in the world of gambling.

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NY Lawmakers Trying to Halt Takeout Rise

New York lawmakers are rushing to halt a 1% takeout increase on out-of-state pari-mutuel wagers before a law kicks in next week authorizing the higher levels.

NY Lawmakers Back Off Takeout on Bets

State lawmakers in New York have backed off on a looming law raising the takeout on bets made on out-of-state Thoroughbred races, a move the industry said would have put the state at a competitive disadvantage with other states.

Laurel Cuts Meet Takeout to 10% Across the Board

In a program billed "Ten Days at 10 Percent -- Racing's Best Bet," pari-mutuel takeout on Maryland's live races will be cut in half during Laurel Park's 10-day summer meet that runs from Aug. 10-23.

NYRA Bailout Tied to Hike in Takeout Rate

The New York Racing Association will have to raise pari-mutuel takeout if it is to obtain a $20-million loan from the state of New York, according to language buried in state budget bills introduced the week of Jan. 16.

Panel Makes Recommendations to NYRA: Boost Takeout; Defer NTRA Dues

A state oversight panel is recommending the New York Racing Association boost takeout, defer dues to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, and get a cash advance from its casino partner in order to cope with NYRA's worsening fiscal picture.

California Takeout Bill Headed to Assembly

Legislation that would authorize a pari-mutuel takeout hike to defray workers' compensation costs passed the California Senate by a 31-6 vote April 22 and is headed to the state Assembly, where it is expected to be addressed the week of April 26.

Non-Carryover Pick Six Takeout Drops; OTB Balks

As some lawmakers and off-track betting corporations push for an increase in pari-mutuel takeout, New York regulators March 30 agreed to lower the takeout on certain pick six wagers at New York Racing Association tracks.

Takeout Rates Again Fuel Conflict in New York

Pari-mutuel takeout wars have begun in New York, where a state senator has introduced legislation to increase the amount the New York Racing Association keeps on wagers. Though the measure's sponsor said the takeout hike is needed to help stop NYRA's financial bleeding, NYRA chairman Barry Schwartz insists the legislation would turn off bettors and decrease purses.

NYRA Pick Six Takeout Plan Already Stirring Pot

A move by the New York Racing Association to lower the pari-mutuel takeout on pick six wagers is causing controversy even before NYRA formally proposes the plan to state regulators.

California Bill to Increase Takeout Passes

A bill that would raise the takeout on California exotic wagers by a half of a percentage point was passed unanimously by the California Assembly Monday.

No Approval Yet for NYRA Plan to Lower Takeout

The embattled New York Racing Association, currently fighting off blistering investigations by state authorities over its operations, discovered June 25 that nothing is a sure thing anymore.

NYRA Seeks to Lower Pari-Mutuel Takeout

Quickly taking advantage of a new pari-mutuel deregulation move by the state, the New York Racing Association has proposed reducing its takeout on certain bets at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga.

Woodbine Announces Takeout Reduction

Woodbine Entertainment is set to give an estimated $1 million back to racing fans by reducing its takeout beginning Jan. 28.

Law Opening U.S. to Foreign Bets Expected Next Year

A proposal to lift a 30% withholding tax on successful wagers made on races in the United States by foreign bettors has received broad support, but probably won't become law until next year.

NYRA's 2002 Handle is 10.4% Ahead of 2001

Reduced takeout has been credited with attracting more than $200 million in commingled handle to the New York Racing Association's three racetracks so far this year.

Takeout Hike Still Option in Workers' Comp Crisis

California racing officials pondering what to do about a building workers' compensation insurance crisis are closer to submitting legislation that would increase pari-mutuel takeout in the state.

California to Hash Out Workers' Comp Proposal

Representatives from the California Thoroughbred industry have scheduled an April 10 meeting at Santa Anita Park to discuss a proposal that would increase pari-mutuel takeout to help pay for spiraling workers' compensation insurance rates.

Keeneland Alters Takeout Rates for Spring Meet

Keeneland, which last fall experimented with a reduced 16 percent pari-mutuel takeout, has made adjustments for its spring meet, which begins April 5. The takeout for win, place, and show wagers will remain 16 percent, but for exotic bets, it will go back up to 19 percent.

Woodbine Lowers Takeout

The betting public will receive larger payoffs when wagering at Woodbine. The Toronto-area track is reducing takeout by 1% for exactor and daily double wagers on foreign race betting.

Simulcasts: Price Is Right. Or Is It?

The pros and cons of reduced pari-mutuel takeout were debated during the opening session of the International Simulcast Conference. The debate figures to continue for some time.

Takeout Cut Heats Up Simmering Debate

It won't be easy to gauge the results of Keeneland's pari-mutuel takeout reduction, and the decision by the Mid-Atlantic racetracks and New York off-track betting corporations to drop the Kentucky track's signal because of concerns over a drop in revenue.

Keeneland Reduces Exotics Takeout

Keeneland has announced that effective with the start of its autumn meeting Oct. 5 it will be lowering the takeout on exotic wagers from 19% to 16%. Bettors with winning tickets on daily doubles, exactas, trifectas, superfectas, and Pick Threes will see a higher percentage of money returned to them.

Saratoga's Million-Fan Meet

Saratoga attracted more than a million fans for the first time in its 137-year history. The crush of additional fans caused a slew of statistical records to fall.

New York Horsemen Back Push for Takeout Reduction

Richard Bomze, president of the New York THA, said Wednesday the organization that represents horsemen at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga met the week of April 9 and decided to support the plan pushed by NYRA chairman Barry Schwartz.

NYRA Chief Pushes Lawmakers for Lower Takeout

While pushing to take over the New York City Off Track Betting Corp., Barry Schwartz has been busily pressing top state lawmakers at the Capitol in Albany to back him on what has become his other chief lobbying mission this year: lowering the takeout at New York racetracks.

MJC Hikes Takeout On Laurel Park Races

With the blessing of Gov. Parris Glendening and the state General Assembly, the Maryland Jockey Club raised the pari-mutuel takeout on races at Laurel Park, effective July 1.