For most people, the ROI on slots (6% takeout) is going to be better for them than racing (20%), because most people are brainless bettors. That is not a sin, it is just what they are looking for.
If you want to use your brain just a wee bit, then solid basic strategy blackjack and stick-to-the smart-bets craps (assuming you are allowed decent odds bets) are probably best for those who want to be just slightly engaged in their wagering.
For who really want to work at it, the real competition for horse racing is sports wagering (@5% takeout) and poker (generally 5-10% rake).
Of course racing has some advantages over these, at least in my mind--a beautiful day at GP, SAR, DMR, SA or KEE beats the sh!t out of any sportsbook or card room. But if it is January at Penn National, those advantages are not so evident.
Takeout MUST come down--it is killing the game by pushing away smart money. And dumb money has too many other less expensive choices nowadays.
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