More for bettors
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) says it is seriously looking at the possibility of allowing free entry to punters in the bleachers section of both the Club Stand and Grandstand at Caymanas Park.
This was part of a number of initiatives announced yesterday by representatives of SVREL at the Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange.
In addition, the company is planning to increase the pay-out allotted to punters from the existing amount of 68 per cent to 70 per cent over the next two years.
On the issue of free entry, Chief Operating Officer at SVREL Brando Hayden said they were in the early stages of putting all their plans into place.
“We at SVREL are looking at attractive ways of earning on our investment in racing. One of the decisions we have taken is to put major emphasis on the needs of punters who are so vital to the horse-racing industry and who have been giving long and devoted service,” Hayden said.
“Punters are our number one priority at this time, of course, along with the professionals in the sport. We are currently looking at the possibility of giving free entry to punters who want to spend a racing day with us in the bleachers and when a final decision is made an announcement will be made,” he added.
As to the increase in pay-out to bettors, SVREL Chairman Paul Hoo said his company is acutely aware of the ‘churn effect’ in all betting endeavours. At the same time, Hoo pointed out that the more money that is paid out to punters, there is the likelihood that they (the punters) will continue to spend.
“At present the pay-out to punters is 68 per cent, we plan to move cautiously, as everything cannot be done at the same time, to increase this pay-out to 70 per cent over the next two years, repeat, over the next two years,” he said.
“SVREL has had just one raceday since it took over as the promoter of horse racing. We need time to see how our product is received before making long-term commitments. But what I can say is that a conscious effort will be made to give more back to the punters. As I stated before, we are looking at moving from 68 per cent to 70 per cent over the next two years. For us, that is a start, and hopefully if all works out, it could be more down the road,” Hoo said.