A downturn in purse subsidies from video lottery (slots) revenue is forcing Delaware Park to reduce its 2009 live racing schedule by 7 days. Delaware Park’s live racing meet will now end on Monday, October 26.
“We have had a very successful live racing meet to date,” said Mike Vild, Senior Vice President of Delaware Park. “We have better quality horses and larger fields than in previous years and our customers are wagering more, even though nationally, handle results are down at most other racetracks.”
However, purse subsidies from video lottery (slots) revenue, which are critical to maintaining the daily purse structure at Delaware Park, are much lower than originally anticipated for this year. The shortfall is a result of the state of Delaware’s decision to reduce the amount of video lottery revenue earmarked for purses by 10% as well as an overall drop in slot play caused by the poor economy as well as increased competition.
“With a smaller pool for purses, we were forced to ask for the reduction in the number of live racing dates to keep our daily purse structure intact,” Vild said.
Delaware Park met with the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, which agreed to the new schedule. The change will be presented to the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission at its upcoming meeting.
About Delaware Park
Delaware Park is a multi-faceted gaming facility offering guests live seasonal thoroughbred racing, year-round simulcasting from around the globe, nearly 3,000 exciting slot machines on two spacious levels, one of only three sports parlay betting venues on the East Coast, and White Clay Creek Country Club, featuring a world class 18-hole championship golf course. Delaware Park is located minutes south of Wilmington and the Delaware Memorial Bridge and just north of the Maryland state line on I-95 at exit 4B. For more information on Delaware Park, visit www.delawarepark.com
Contacts:
Tipton Communications (for Delaware Park)
Dan Tipton,
302-454-7901
dan@tiptoncommunications.com
