Originally Posted by
StackinGreen
The OTB will always have a higher takeout than the local track. If you are betting on a Churchill Downs race, you are subject to the WPS pool takeout and exotic takeouts for that track (CD) or that race, then your local OTB establishment takes an extra 1-2% something like that, as per the law of that state. Straight forward.
I recall being at Arlington Park (LIVE, in person) when they had their OWN betting pool for the race. That was cool. It allowed you to bet either at CD, for example, or at Arlington against just local bettors. In that scenario you would be subject only to Arlington's takeout and the laws of IL. No OTB tax/surcharge, obviously. Also, you could see if a horse you liked gave better odds, so in certain circumstances, it was a double win.