Columbus, OH — Total wagering on U.S. harness races in 2022 declined by 8.33 percent compared to 2021. In 2022, total wagering was $1,487,258,371, which was $135,086,255 less than the $1,622,344,626 that was bet in 2021.

In addition, the average wagering per race in 2022 saw a decrease from 2021. The 2022 average of $43,592 was $3,766 (-7.95 percent) per race less than $47,358 the year before. The per betting interest dropped from $6,069 to $5,659 year over year, a 6.76 percent decrease.

During 2022 there was a 10.48 percent increase in purses distributed compared to 2021. The 2022 total of $483,775,811 in purses was $45,879,203 more than the $437,896,608 in 2021.

There were six more race days in 2022 than 2021. The 3,279 in 2022 was a minimal increase of 0.18 percent from the 2021 total of 3,273.

“The numbers tell part of the tale,” said Mike Tanner, the U.S. Trotting Association’s chief executive officer. “Purses, owing largely to funding derived from gaming sources, remain quite robust. There’s never been a better time to own a Standardbred racehorse. The handle figure is a 4.37 percent increase over 2019 ($1,424,886,558), which, not coincidentally, was the last year before 2022 that Canada raced a full and complete harness racing schedule. The drop off in 2022 cannot and should not be ignored, but it’s important to consider the context.”

 ECONOMIC INDICATORS ON U.S. RACES — YEAR-TO-YEAR COMPARISON

2022 vs 2021

Please note: The information above includes U.S. and Canadian common and separate pool wagers on races contested in the U.S.