Horse Racing and Poker Post Gains in Tampa

On November 30th, 2007, according to the latest statistics from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Pari-Mutuel Betting, the total handle remained at a normal level in October at Florida's pari-mutuel establishments, while poker tournament card room results doubled.

All in all, the total pari-mutuel handle was at $100.7 million; a slide down from $101 million for the same time last year. The card room total improved to $6.8 million from $3.7 million in October 2006.

Thoroughbred horse racing improved their handle to $59.9 million from $56 million, while the total handle at the state's greyhound racing track slide down by ten percent to $30 million.

Tampa Greyhound Racing Tracks total handle improve to $6.1 million from $5.9 million in October 2006. But it is holding their racing schedule at St. Petersburg's Derby Lane. Poker Card room results slide down at Derby Lane by five percent to $584,650 for the month.

Tampa Bay Downs and Tampa Greyhound Track stated card room profits despite the lack of live racing under the new regulations enforced on July 1st that permits year-round card room games.

December 25, 2007
William Atkins