A trend for racetracks to pursue betting on their races throughout the world as much as betting on slot machines under their roofs has helped shift the focus of the Symposium on Racing and Gaming more from the latter to the former.
The University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program has annually presented the symposium since 1974, and this year’s 37th annual event on December 6-9 in Tucson includes standard industry panels, discussions, and events brought by the Jockeys’ Guild, Turf Publicists of America, Association of Racing Commissioners International, and National Thoroughbred Racing Association.
“Consolidation made sense,” said Doug Reed, director of the Race Track Industry Program. “We thought it would be win-win, and hopefully other groups feel as if it is, too. Everyone is tightening the belts. We don’t need to repeat a panel on technology three times a year.”
The Symposium on Racing added gaming to its title and agenda in 2005, and in recent years, gaming topics have driven much of the content at the annual confab. Officials pulled back on much of that content for this year, so much so that one of the expanded gaming panels refers to the expansion of racinos as “When a blessing becomes a burden.”
“The gaming part was part of a long-term plan, but we’ve cut back on that,” Reed said. “We ramped it up when it was sort of the hot topic, but wagering and distribution of that content is an important issue now.”
Panels related to wagering and simulcasting include:
• International simulcasting: A “how-to” primer to better position your product for international customers;
• International tote protocol meeting;
• New technologies and the new realities for the distribution of racing content;
• Boutique ADWs: The who, what, and how.
“We’ve been working on the international simulcasting panel for a while,” Reed said. “It’s better than any panel that’s been presented on the subject. The [panel on boutique advance-deposit wagering outlets] could be very interesting as well.”
The University of Arizona’s portion of the symposium begins on December 7 (following a welcoming reception on December 6) with Churchill Downs Inc. Chief Executive officer Robert L. Evans delivering the event’s keynote address titled, “Why I’m still breeding racehorses.” The Versailles, Kentucky, resident maintains a broodmare band and will discuss
five reasons why he is optimistic about racing’s future.
Evans’ comments figure to provide a good introduction to the aforementioned wagering topics because Churchill has been bullish on expanding its account-wagering business.
“I was excited to have Mr. Evans do the opening address,” Reed said. “He came up with a neat title, and I’m anxious to hear what he has to say. It’s tough times. Having him as an opening could be provocative.”
The week’s events begin in earnest the afternoon of December 6 when the Jockeys’ Guild and RCI team to conduct a Riders Safety Summit with participants from the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, In-Compass, and the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. RCI will have already conducted a board of directors meeting following a Rule Committee session.
The symposium is at the Westin La Paloma through 2011. Reed said that in January the Race Track Industry Program would send out requests for proposals from Tucson-area conference venues to play host to the event in 2012 and beyond. (Thoroughbred Times)
