Miami, FL (PRWEB) January 27, 2014
Leading the pack in November was Jacksonville’s Best Bet Orange Park with their live wagering 15.4% over 2012 totals. Daytona Beach saw a staggering 21.8% increase in dollars bet at their facility. The dog track in Jacksonville revamped their promotions efforts increasing contests, lucrative give aways, adding three tiered distance racing and even showcasing their primary product, the greyhound racing, in television commercials. Derby Lane and Tampa both saw 12% growth as both tracks have full time racing advocates in marketing and public relations. Recently Sanford Orlando Kennel Club published that they saw impressive 18.8% gains in 2013. Their attendance increased and an overall 9.1% gain in wagering. The success was attributed to creating a more attractive guest experience and attention to marketing and promotions.
“Sanford Orlando Kennel Club exists in one of Florida state’s most competitive entertainment market,” comments James Blanchard, Florida Greyhound Association President. “They are seeing success, without poker rooms and slots machines, because they are invested in providing an exceptional dog racing entertainment experience.”
The state’s Gambling Impact Study reports that the Florida greyhound industry produces an estimated $ 200 million dollars in tax revenue. These funds are primarily used for charitable purposes. Profits from dog racing purses are paid out to the kennels and owners that race the greyhounds, many live, work and spend their income in the Sunshine State.
Reports of greyhound racing’s declining profitability are often one sided and purposely do not take into account that a number of tracks have closed in the past twenty years. In 1993, there were 18 greyhound tracks operating in Florida. Today, there are 13. The smaller industry pool in 2013 versus 1993 naturally shows a decline. These reports are often submitted by special interest lobbyist groups and track owners looking to repeal or appeal, (not sure which thing they are trying to do) the statute requiring them to run live greyhound racing in order to keep their high-profit-low-overhead slot machines and gaming rooms. Comparing tracks handle performance against previous years illustrates that live greyhound racing is holding it’s own while providing revenue for the state and supporting a statewide small business community of family run operations.
The Florida Greyhound Association (FGA) endeavors to highlight the importance of the Greyhound Industry in the State of Florida. More than half of all race tracks in North America are based in Florida and greyhounds from around the country race in Florida. The FGA is affiliated with the National Greyhound Association (NGA), located in Abilene, Kansas, and there are seven regional associations throughout Florida that operate cooperatively.