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Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind
You are very confused about what makes horseracing work as a day to day business.
Major league sports have substantial broadcasting revenues that racing can never have.
Major league sports derive substantial revenue from ticket sales that racing can never have save a few days a year.
Racing is funded almost solely by takeout from wagering, though now slot money has also been added to the mix, and if you think that racetracks that run even mildly significant meets can survive without gambling you are mistaken. Completely mistaken.
What racetracks need to do is find a better way to educate their fans about wagering. Any fan that does better, or in most cases less poorly, will be inclined to bet more and enjoy him or herself more. This is how they can improve their business ( and, no, I am not suggesting this is easy....but having know-nothing talking heads on between races sure isn't helping ). If someone wants to pay the general admission and walk the grounds, not bet, and enjoy their day that is their prerogative, but make no mistake....they are doing VERY little to help the game.
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I repeat: no one is proposing banning gambling at the tracks. I am not arguing that we should be discouraging gambling (for heaven's sake).
Yes, gambling is extremely important in order to maintain horseracing in its current state. I'm just very doubtful that your emphasis on gambling can safeguard its future. If you feel that horseracing has reached its maximum potential for popularity, ticket sales, and broadcasting in the 21st century, that's your opinion and you're entitled to it...but I disagree.