Press Release: 9 of 10 Horseplayers Association of North America Members Polled Show Support for a Boycott of Churchill Downs Inc. Tracks & Assorted Properties; Action Commences

(Charlottesville, VA, April 29, 2014): A poll of Horseplayer Association of North America (HANA) members revealed that 90.2% of respondents will be withholding either some or all of their dollars from Churchill Downs Inc. racetracks – Churchill Downs, Arlington, Fair Grounds and Calder Race Course - wagering platform Twinspires.com and past performance provider Brisnet.com. 

This poll result is in response to Churchill Downs Inc. increasing their takeout rates by over 9% on the win, place a show pools and almost 16% on exotic pools at their Louisville, KY racetrack.  The takeout increase was put in place April 26^th and will continue for the rest of the meet.  

The poll also showed that only 8.5% of respondents believe that this is only a one-track phenomenon. 42.8% believe Churchill Downs Inc. will raise prices at their other tracks, and an additional 48.7% believe that other non-Churchill Downs Inc. tracks will follow with rate hikes. 

“The Board of Directors was struck by the anger this past week on social media and our email from rank and file horseplayers, so we commissioned a survey of members.” said HANA President Jeff Platt. “The survey confirmed that current HANA membership had a similar discontent and they’ve urged us to move forward.”

Although HANA will be working on partnerships with various groups, an advertising program, and a social media push to increase support for a boycott of all Churchill Downs Inc. properties, the Association of over 2,500 horseplayers believes the success or failure of the effort will lie with customers. 

“Large gaming corporations like Churchill Downs Inc. are extremely well funded, but we do not underestimate the power of an educated customer. We ask customers to share this action with their friends and fellow horseplayers,” said Platt. 

A list of Advance Deposit Wagering companies and figure/past performance makers is being compiled, so customers who wish to switch from Churchill Downs Inc. properties can complete their due diligence. HANA, as is its custom, will not be endorsing or recommending any of these products or services.  

The Horseplayers Association of North America will keep both members and non-members informed on its blog, twitter feed, Facebook page and via email as warranted.  Customers are also encouraged to visit www.playersboycott.org for more information. 

Further results from the member poll and the above mentioned list will be released next week on the Horseplayers Association blog.

____________________________________________________________

“What support are you willing to show a boycott, as a HANA member”:

I will stop all play and purchases at Churchill Downs Inc. tracks and properties – 39.94%

I will stop some play and purchases at Churchill Downs Inc. tracks and properties – 50.31%

I will continue to play all Churchill Downs Inc. racetracks and properties like I always have – 9.75%

The Horseplayers Association of North America is a grassroots group of horseplayers who are not affiliated with any industry organization. HANA hopes, through proactive change on several key issues (including but not limited to), open signal access, lower effective takeouts, affordable data and customer appreciation, the industry’s handle losses can be reversed. HANA is made up of over 2,500 horseplayer from all across North America, with an approximate handle of $100 millon per annum.

Twitter: hplayersassnna Blog: http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/

Web: horseplayersassociation.org Further Information: info @ hanaweb.org