"Handle through two of the three leading national account-wagering platforms in the United States declined in the first quarter of 2011 compared with the first quarter of 2010, according to the platform operators and regulators in Oregon, where the platforms have betting hubs. The decline signals a contraction in the account-wagering market for perhaps the first time. Combined with a slight increase for the third large account-wagering operator the overall 7.9 percent decline is the first significant quarter-to-quarter drop for the leading operators in the account-wagering sector, which has been the only growing component of the national wagering market over the past several years. The decline far exceeded a 1.8 percent contraction in race days during the quarter and was a significant component in an 8.5 percent decline in total wagering on U.S. races for the first three months of the year."

"In the past, DRF was simply a media company and we viewed CDI’s relationship with DRF as that of a business customer and a partner. In our role as customer and partner, CDI purchases advertising from the Form, and our locations serve as distribution outlets for DRF’s daily publication. DRF has positioned itself as a media and wagering company, drastically changing its relationship with our racetracks, OTBs, and TwinSpires.com. That change in direction gives us pause."

"The new rebate shop, Player Management Group (PMG), will cater to high-end horseplayers when it opens for operations. The Oregon Racing Commission will serve as the website’s hub, which will include wagering through phone accounts and an Internet platform. XpressBet Inc. President Ron Luniewski said the website will cater to bettors who wager more than $1-million a year. Rebate shops typically reduce the percentage of takeout (the amount of money retained for the ADW website, tracks, horsemen, and taxes) by 10% to 15%."

"If we were at the tracks taking customers away, I could see why tracks would have a problem with it. It makes no sense they'd want to eliminate us. On top of that, as opposed to the TVGs and Youbets of the world, we pay a premium for the signal. I think we have the support of the big players in the industry. The ones signing contracts with us must see a benefit to it." See also, Barry Schwartz quote: "I don't think rebate shops are the problem. The problem is our structure -- what we're charging for signals, and the takeout. If takeout rates were more reasonable, places wouldn't need rebates." [From 2004]

"State officials say they do not have numbers yet on how many NYCOTB ADW customers have closed their accounts, but sources say the accounts have been sharply draining down 48 hours now since the OTB closed its doors. They say even if the NYCOTB were to come back to life, it would be difficult to get those bettors back."

"In an emergency meeting, the board approved streamlining the process for New York City OTB bettors to quickly sign up for Internet betting on state-regulated sites. The board also authorized several betting entities to start the process immediately, which would dramatically reduce delays for bettors to sign up."

"Executives from the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Keeneland Association, New York Racing Association, and Oak Tree Racing Association met in late September in Lexington to discuss the launch of an advance-deposit wagering (ADW) site. The initial concept is the site would return a higher percentage of money from handle to tracks and horsemen, in the form of purses; and possibly to players, in the form of rebates; by eliminating the percentage of handle that other ADWs currently retain."

"Some say the comprehensive action plan was killed, while others believe it was only stalled. Parts of it, such as the televised racing series, are still in the works, but the key component -- an industry-owned end-to-end wagering platform and bet-processing system -- can’t get off the ground." (This is re: working group/plan reported earlier in the year by the Racing Post.) Elements of the NTRA present in Sanan plan. See also: Alex Waldrop's comments on digital initiatives in 6/15/10 NTRA blog post and 9/11/10 TDN interview. (Specifically: "Unlike many other major sports, we easily adapt to the Internet.... We've embraced the internet as openly as any sport that I'm aware of. We may not have the MLB's financial resources to put forth this gargantuan website, and we may not have the cooperation that some of the sports leagues have, but we certainly don't lack for enthusiasm, passion, or for interest when it comes to social media and other advertising via the web.")

More good news, despite Derby day problems: "Churchill reported a 7.8% increase in all-sources wagering handle on the Derby race itself to $112.7-million and a 4.3% wagering increase on the 13-race Derby card to $162.7-million."