Columbus, OH — After significant increases in all of the key economic indicators — total wagering, purses, per race average and per betting interest for harness racing in 2023 — each of those numbers saw decreases in 2024.
According to Equibase, handle on Thoroughbred racing in North America was also down, by 3.35%, in 2024, marking the third consecutive year that wagering has declined.
Total wagering of $1,470,658,827 during the past year was $114,699,372 less than 2023, a 7.23% decrease. However, the 2024 total was only $16.4 million less than two years ago in 2022.
The highest level of wagering, $421,606,890, in the second quarter of 2024 was only 2.59% less than 2023, while the fourth quarter had the least amount of handle, $327,435,389, a decrease of 11.28% compared to 2023.
The overall wagering was reflective of the decrease in handle at the majority of pari-mutuel tracks across the U.S. Only seven of those 33 tracks showed an increase in handle.
Purses in 2024 decreased by 1.93%. Last year, $491,734,380 in purses were distributed over 3,149 race days compared to 2023 when $501,391,585 in purses were earned in 3,218 race days.
The decline in wagering resulted in decreases in both per race average and per betting interest. In 2024, per race average was $42,525 down 6.64% from $45,552 while per betting interest decreased from $5,823 to $5,456 (-6.30%).
ECONOMIC INDICATORS ON U.S. RACES – 2024 vs. 2023
2024 vs. 2023 – Annual – January 1 through December 31
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | |
| Total Wagered | $1,470,658,827 | $1,585,358,199 | – 7.23% |
| Per Race avg. | $42,525 | $45,552 | – 6.64% |
| Per Betting Interest | $5,456 | $5,823 | – 6.30% |
| Purses | $491,734,380 | $501,391,585 | – 1.93% |
| Race Days | 3,149 | 3,218 | – 2.14% |
Please note: The information above includes U.S. and Canadian common and separate pool wagers on races contested in the U.S.