Derby Trail Forums - SIMULCAST CONFERENCE: Impedements to Intl signal growth

Issues Hinder International Simulcast Growth
By Tom LaMarra

“It’s kind of a consistent story wherever you go,” Stuart said. “(If there isn’t growth in handle), we could end up with two-bit racing and virtual racing. The competition is smart, and it is giving the customer what the customer wants. Racing is still giving the customer what racing wants.”

Obstacles to international simulcasts include incompatible technology, varying pari-mutuel takeout rates, different past-performance data, satellite transmission issues, tote incompatibility, separate instead of common betting pools, and unwillingness by some countries to open their markets to foreign product, officials said.