Sharp increase in horse race wagering in April

The average wagering per race day was US$7,522,346 compared to last year’s figure of US$2,720,123.

US.- April saw a major increase in horse racing wagering in the US, one of few sports that has continued during the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Figures from horse racing data company Equibase show that the average wagering per race day was significantly higher at US$7,522,346 compared to last year’s April figure of US$2,720,123.

This represents a massive 176.54 per cent increase year on year in wagering during the period.

Despite the increase in wagering activity, the among wagered fell 25 per cent to US$639,399,396 compared to US$845,958,246 in 2019.

But with race days down 72 per cent year on year and some of April’s biggest races cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the numbers provide optimism for the industry.

Some tracks across the US have been closed during lockdown measures.

However, Gulfstream and Oaklawn, two racetracks that have remained open, took an average of US$7.5million during the period, up from US$2.7million year on year.

US television viewing figures of horse racing have been considerably higher during the pandemic.