|
 Kentucky
Derby Takes in
$114.6 Million Just
From Churchill Downs
It was a magical
weekend for Kentucky
Derby bettors and
books alike - though
the later probably
would have preferred
to see another horse
win it besides the
favorite Big Brown.
$114.6 million was
taken in from
On-track and
off-track wagering.
While this figure
was down from $118.3
million last year,
it does not take
into account the
massive amounts bet
online this year.
Horse betting over
the Internet was
legalized in October
2006 and more
websites have begun
offering a wider
betting menu on the
Kentucky Derby.
For Gambling911.com
the
2008 Kentucky Derby
was the most
trafficked (inquired
about) event of the
year,
just nudging out the
Super Bowl by a mere
700 unique visitors.
Saturday also broke
the record for most
visitors in
Gambling911.com's
nearly 8 years on
the Web.
Churchill Downs
President Steve
Sexton said in the
company's statement
that off-track
wagering was hurt
because tens of
thousands of
customers who bet
via advance deposits
over the Internet
were limited to
betting on the
Kentucky Derby race
and the Woodford
Reserve Turf
Classic.
"Kentucky horsemen
would not permit
[advance-deposit]
wagering" via
certain Websites on
the full Kentucky
Derby Day card, the
executive said.
Additionally, Sexton
said, "fewer Florida
parimutuel
facilities could
wager on the entire
Derby Day card due
to an ongoing
dispute with Florida
horsemen."
This year's
Preakness was also
expected to yield
better than past
results via online
gambling websites as
a result of the
favorite winning the
Derby.
"People will be
looking for Big
Brown to win the
Triple Crown,"
explained
Gambling911.com
Sports Writer, Dan
Shapiro. "His
win was decisive at
the Derby."
Most Gambling911.com
Sportsbooks were
offering betting on
the Preakness and
Triple Crown
here
-----
Christopher
Costigan,
Gambling911.com
Publisher
CCostigan@CostiganMedia.com
Originally published
May 5, 2008 2:46 pm
EST |
