It's all pretty simple : I entered the 'gaming environment' when betting was ONLY permitted on horses. Casinos were still some years distant, lotteries were illegal ( hell - we just l-o-v-e to ban things ) and sports betting was unheard of although most of us had heard a couple of urban legends regarding football pools. Poker was played by wiseguys whilst waiting for their next hit.
Today youngsters have choices which we never had. Sport has an enormous advantage because most punters have a basic understanding of it BEFORE they have their first punt on it. Secondly - they relate to the players. Thirdly - they usually have a firm opinion on the outcome whether it is right or wrong. Importantly you also get a much longer period to enjoy your wager due to the length of the event.
On the other hand - racing is a complex sport which takes a lifetime to learn. There is no training available whatsoever. You learn only through losing money. Usually a lot. And whilst you are losing it you have to grin and bear it while smirking connections tell you what a 'good thing' their horse was and about which you knew absolutely nothing. Furthermore you also have to stomach an endless succession of dubious incidents where the regulators seemingly do nothing or alternatively fail to communicate remedial action - if any. There is almost a conspiracy of silence which does little or nothing to convince a cynical punter that the sport is ethical.
In recent years the operators have further devalued the sport by feeding the system with endless low handicap/ seller type cannon fodder simply to feed the betting/churning mill. Its tired and its boring. To prove my point on this issue this site is regularly filled with recollections of races as far back as 30 years which posters STILL remember simply because we had the opportunity to anticipate and savour big events. Unfortunately the operators don't seem to share our appreciation - to them a race is a race is a race. So instead of nurturing, for example, an appreciation of a Grade 1 hurdle in the UK (which would probably EXPAND the shrinking fan base if a decent preview and information were provided) they shunt it to a quarter screen in favour of Flamingo Park or whatever. Which throws up another head scratching and disenchanting result.
I am amazed that the sport remains so durable. I regard myself as intelligent but often a little slow to get a message. Yet even I have completely exited horse ownership and have entered 2012 with a firm resolve to have horse bets on two events only - the Met and the July. Why? Because I have given up hoping to see the racing I want to see and bet on and will henceforth focus exclusively on sport where I know I stand a better chance of turning a profit. And where the television coverage is of a quality that I believe I am entitled to as a PAYING CUSTOMER. And in HD too, nogal.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Topic Author
