When I speak about getting wagering into places like restaurants and bars, its because I've seen a few things that have made me think this is a really good idea.
You ever go to a Fridays or chain restaurant place where they have that trivia game you can play on the tv screen? And they have like the Monday night football thing where you can predict the plays and you use that little computer they give you? I myself live that trivia game, and I see people playing the MNF thing all the time. Its fun, and its not even for money. Usually you have to wait for someone to lave to get on of those little devices you play on,because they are all taken. Now thats not even for money!!! People play it because it passes the time and its fun and challenging.
Imagine walking into one of these chain places where they give you the same little device and you can buy credit to bet and the races are on a screen or two? If people play the trivia and MNF thing why wouldnt they play races as well?
Up here in the Albany area Capital OTB has started doing just that in soem bars and restaurants and its been a rousing success. Its not even smart to play up here doing this because you have to pay a 6% surcharge on your winning bets on gimmicks and 5% on wps bets. But people love it!!! One place in Amsterdam was so successful with it that the guy who owns it added on an expansion to the place that was bigger than the whole place was before he started carrying the races!!!
I've been in some of these places and I can see why it works even though you have to be an idiot to take the 6% hit on money paid out. They don't have that stagnant depressing atmosphere that OTBS or tracks have. People sitting there eating and drinking and game son tv, etc and you can bring a wife or gf and she can eat or drink or talk to folks.
This is something the industry would be wise to consider focusing more on. Imagine a TVG/Fridays type place alliance where TVG is on in teh bar area all the time and you could get little machines to bet on? You'd make new fans, I'm telling you.