2014 admission hikes for Belmont, Saratoga: GA $5, Clubhouse $8

[3kings]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

I've heard a lot of excuses for raising prices, but there is no way I'm buying that it is to keep out undesirables.

I guess this is where the split is. For some, it is entertainment, for others it is gambling. I love racing, but take away the gambling, and I'd most likely never go again.

I agree, and probably would never go again if it weren't for the gambling. I guess I just don't mind paying a few dollars for the live product.

[NTamm1215]

NYRA offers a premium product. You raise prices for premium products. Saratoga's Clubhouse admission price was lower than that of every other major racetrack in the country that charges. It was time for an increase.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

NYRA offers a premium product. You raise prices for premium products. Saratoga's Clubhouse admission price was lower than that of every other major racetrack in the country that charges. It was time for an increase.

It was only time for an increase IF the delta between handle rake and addtional earned admission is positive. Who did the analysis or was it "just time to increase it"?

[cmorioles]

Only in racing do prices go up when business is down.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Only in racing do prices go up when business is down.

Business is not down in NY for the year. Handle is up. Handle was down at Saratoga by a fractional margin.

I understand you're completely against the price increase. However, if you grant that a price has to be charged, the new price is quite fair based on the market.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Business is not down in NY for the year. Handle is up. Handle was down at Saratoga by a fractional margin.

I understand you're completely against the price increase. However, if you grant that a price has to be charged, the new price is quite fair based on the market.

Business is down as far as attendance goes, and that is what this price increase impacts. I guess we'll see how people respond. I think on track attendance and handle will decline. The customers will determine if the price is fair. On track handle is better than off track handle for NYRA.

Customers don't care about political maneuvering between the state and NYRA. All they know is they are going to be asked to pay more while slots money is rolling in. Think about that.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Business is down as far as attendance goes, and that is what this price increase impacts. I guess we'll see how people respond. I think on track attendance and handle will decline. The customers will determine if the price is fair. On track handle is better than off track handle for NYRA.

Customers don't care about political maneuvering between the state and NYRA. All they know is they are going to be asked to pay more while slots money is rolling in. Think about that.

But why is attendance down?
Is it a matter of the economy and people just not having extra money to spend/gamble?

Is it a matter of the sports older clientele dying off and arent being replaced by younger fans?

Is it that people are just fed up trying to beat a game that's borderline impossible?

It's a shame that the people that will be punished the most are the track rats that are there day in and day out. If they could somehow come up with some special promotion for these people (such as a free monthly grandstand pass that you sign up for once a month {they do it at Monmouth}), then I really think that the effect from the increase will be minimal at best.

I just can't see the person/family who enjoys a day at the track, that goes once/a couple of times a month balking about a couple of dollar increase. Especially with these people living in an area where the cost of living is already high and everything (tolls, buses, trains etc) seem to go up on a quartly basis. I understand the sports/gambling argument, but compared to the ridiculous amount of sports tickets around here (mostly Yankees & anything at MSG), the track prices seem like a relative bargin.

As long as this is a one time increase for the considerable future, I don't see it be that big a deal.

[Payson Dave]

The spinners on give-away days at the Spa are going to be bummed...they don't contribute much to the handle but they sure enhance the attendance figs.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Only in racing do prices go up when business is down.

Outside of professional sports perhaps

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Outside of professional sports perhaps

That hasn't been my experience.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

That hasn't been my experience.

You dont live in NY.

It costs $280 for a decent seat at a Knicks game. They kinda suck. Prices havent gone down here, ever.

What about when NFL teams make you buy preseason games at full cost if you are a season ticket holder? Do they give you a break if the team stinks?

What about "premium pricing", making you pay more for games against better teams?

What about when the Knicks forced season ticket holders to also buy season tickets to the WNBA team as well?

[pointman]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

You dont live in NY.

It costs $280 for a decent seat at a Knicks game. They kinda suck. Prices havent gone down here, ever.

What about when NFL teams make you buy preseason games at full cost if you are a season ticket holder? Do they give you a break if the team stinks?

What about "premium pricing", making you pay more for games against better teams?

What about when the Knicks forced season ticket holders to also buy season tickets to the WNBA team as well?

Don't forget about seat license fees. Even the Jets had the noggins to force that crap on their fans.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

You dont live in NY.

It costs $280 for a decent seat at a Knicks game. They kinda suck. Prices havent gone down here, ever.

What about when NFL teams make you buy preseason games at full cost if you are a season ticket holder? Do they give you a break if the team stinks?

What about "premium pricing", making you pay more for games against better teams?

What about when the Knicks forced season ticket holders to also buy season tickets to the WNBA team as well?

I didn't realize you were specifying New York. I love visiting, but I would NEVER live there.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by pointman

If people are complaining about raising the price of admission into one of the most beautiful sporting venues in the Country by two bucks, I will go out on a limb and say the loss of their wagering dollars is insignificant.

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

NYRA offers a premium product. You raise prices for premium products.

Well said, gentlemen.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

NYRA offers a premium product. You raise prices for premium products. Saratoga's Clubhouse admission price was lower than that of every other major racetrack in the country that charges. It was time for an increase.

they could charge 15 and 30 it would still be worth it

[cmorioles]

Yeah, $15 or $30 would really bring the fans in droves.

If you bet only $100, you are already paying $18-20 in admission...but everybody seems to forget that. Let's just keep tacking on more and more.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Yeah, $15 or $30 would really bring the fans in droves.

If you bet only $100, you are already paying $18-20 in admission...but everybody seems to forget that. Let's just keep tacking on more and more.

I agree with this.

As to Saratoga and the hit to those who attend most of the season, do they still offer the season pass? It has been a couple years since I lived there, but if they do still offer this, it is a great deal for frequent attenders.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Yeah, $15 or $30 would really bring the fans in droves.

If you bet only $100, you are already paying $18-20 in admission...but everybody seems to forget that. Let's just keep tacking on more and more.

This was the best comment in the whole discussion.

If I go and wager in a casino on a slot machine and bet $100 the casino will get an average of $5 pending on the game. If I bet $1000, which is my typical handle if I was to go to the races for an entire day, its $50.

If I go to the races they get $200 on average.

One is free and the other is charging, you would think its reversed on the who.

[jms62]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

This was the best comment in the whole discussion.

If I go and wager in a casino on a slot machine and bet $100 the casino will get an average of $5 pending on the game. If I bet $1000, which is my typical handle if I was to go to the races for an entire day, its $50.

If I go to the races they get $200 on average.

One is free and the other is charging, you would think its reversed on the who.

Well said. Let's face it horseplayers are portrayed as degenerate gamblers by the media and the industry is treating us like addicts. Increasing the rates for us to get our fix chasing the big score (high) . The casinos understand that giving perks and low takeout games will get more folks in the door and churning that money over and over until it is gone.

To me it seems like the horse racing industry has too many old execs unable to grasp that it is no longer the 1960's and 70's

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by jms62

Well said. Let's face it horseplayers are portrayed as degenerate gamblers by the media and the industry is treating us like addicts. Increasing the rates for us to get our fix chasing the big score (high) . The casinos understand that giving perks and low takeout games will get more folks in the door and churning that money over and over until it is gone.

To me it seems like the horse racing industry has too many old execs unable to grasp that it is no longer the 1960's and 70's

i agree that the industry who makes its money from bettors seems to ignore who actually funds the whole thing.