Time to Join H.A.N.A.

Are you a member of the Horseplayers Association of North America (H.A.N.A.)?  If you are a person who wagers on racing, why haven't you?  H.A.N.A. is an organization that represents horseplayers' interests with race tracks and other segments of the racing industry.  What does H.A.N.A. stand for?  From their website:

H.A.N.A. is a grass roots Non Profit organization made up of horseplayers just like you. Simply put, we are not happy with track management and horsemen's groups. We are less than thrilled with what they are doing to the game that we love.

 Instead of promoting awareness of the sport and growing handle they have become bogged down with industry infighting and have completely forgotten something: The importance of the customer.

We are tired of the signal wars, exclusive ADW deals, excessive takeouts, breakage, trainers who are rewarded for cheating, an obsolete tote system, and an attitude that smacks of entitlement.


We want open access to all track signals for all ADWs, takeouts that are competitive with other forms of gambling, the abolishment of breakage, severe penalties for trainers who cheat, and odds updates in real time. But most of all we want those who run racing to recognize us. The player matters. The player is a stakeholder too. Without money bet by us players the game would cease to exist.


We can effect change. We can bring racing back to the prominence it once held in people's hearts on a national level. But it won't be easy and it won't come overnight. It's going to take vision, committment, and effort. But change IS possible... IF we band together in numbers.


We are an independent grass roots player's organization that desires change.



There is no charge to become a member of H.A.N.A. so why not join?  Do you think as a small time gambler there is no sense in joining this organization?  True, many of the members are people who wager a lot more than you and I but any changes they are able to achieve will benefit you.  Besides, you are probably a bigger horseplayer than you think.  Take a look at how much you wagered in 2009 (if you are a member of an ADW that should be easy); odds are you will be surprised as to how much you wagered over the year when you consider the churn (you may go to the track with a set amount but if you bet some of your winnings within the same night you are actually betting more than you realize).  Wouldn't you like a group to help make the game better for you?  There is strength in numbers.  It is easy to ignore an individual, it is much tougher to ignore an organization representing thousands of individuals.

H.A.N.A. represents horseplayers who wager on all breeds of horse racing.  Yes, up to now they have been concentrating primarily on thoroughbred racing but they have had meetings with standardbred interests.  It is  important to remember that changes implemented in one form of horse racing tend to transfer over to the other breeds so H.A.N.A.'s actions with the runners will benefit harness racing fans in the long run.  As time goes on and their membership base expands, they will have the opportunity to expend more time with harness racing interests; especially if more of their members are harness racing fans.

Changes that benefit horseplayers benefits the horse racing industry in the long run as it will result in increased wagering and interest by people who gave up the game as well as attract new fans.   If you wager on horse racing of any breed, you can help by becoming a member of H.A.N.A..  You can visit H.A.N.A.'s website for more information and to join.