Daily Racing Form Bets Big on Print in Digital-First Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NV – April 30, 2026 – In an era dominated by digital wagers and mobile apps, a 132-year-old institution is doubling down on paper. Daily Racing Form (DRF), the venerable source for horse racing data, has solidified its command over the Las Vegas market through new multi-year agreements that make its iconic print publications the exclusive choice across a slate of the city’s most prominent casino racebooks.

The deals, struck with American Wagering, Inc. (the operator of William Hill sportsbooks for Caesars Entertainment) and Boyd Gaming Corporation in late March, represent a significant strategic maneuver. In a world rushing to digitize every interaction, DRF is betting that for the dedicated horseplayer, the tangible, ink-on-paper form remains an indispensable tool of the trade.

This expansion reinforces DRF’s physical presence in the world’s gambling capital, ensuring that its detailed past performances and expert analysis are the only printed guides available to bettors at some of the most famous properties on the Strip and beyond.

A Vegas Stronghold Secured

The agreements, executed on March 16 and March 25, 2026, respectively, effectively create a moat around DRF’s print business in key Las Vegas locations. The partnership with American Wagering places DRF exclusively in the racebooks of Caesars Entertainment powerhouses, including Caesars Palace, Harrah’s Las Vegas, and Planet Hollywood. Simultaneously, the Boyd Gaming deal secures exclusivity at its popular local-focused properties like the Gold Coast, Orleans, and Sam’s Town.

For bettors at these locations, the choice of printed racing guides has been made. This exclusivity locks out competitors like Equibase and Brisnet from valuable physical shelf space in high-traffic racebooks. While those competitors maintain robust digital platforms, DRF's move acknowledges a critical reality of the racebook ecosystem: a significant and often high-value segment of the betting public remains deeply attached to the physical product.

This consolidation comes on the heels of a similar partnership established with Churchill Downs Incorporated in December 2025. Together, these deals signal a clear and aggressive strategy by DRF and its parent companies—Affinity Interactive and the ZCG-backed Apex Hospitality—to control the flow of essential racing information at critical points of purchase, from the track to the casino floor.

The Enduring Power of Tangible Data

The decision to expand print distribution may seem counterintuitive. Yet, it speaks to a deep understanding of the horse racing enthusiast. Unlike a casual sports bettor swiping through an app, the serious handicapper's process is often a ritual of intense study. It involves hours spent poring over past performances, jockey statistics, and speed figures—a process of highlighting, circling, and scribbling notes in the margins that digital screens have yet to replicate effectively.

For this demographic, the physical DRF is not just a publication; it is a workspace. In the bustling, sensory-overload environment of a casino, the printed form offers a zone of focused analysis, free from push notifications and the temptation of digital distraction. It is a tactile connection to the century-old tradition of handicapping, a ritual that is as much a part of the experience as the race itself.

By securing these exclusive distribution channels, DRF is not just selling a product; it is servicing a core behavior of its most loyal customers. It’s a recognition that in some niche, data-intensive markets, the utility and user experience of a physical object can still outweigh the convenience of its digital counterpart.

A Strategic Play for Partners and Patrons

The benefits of these agreements extend beyond DRF to its casino partners. For operators like Caesars and Boyd Gaming, providing the industry's most trusted racing publication on an exclusive basis is a powerful tool for customer acquisition and retention. It enhances the racebook experience, signaling to serious horseplayers that their needs are understood and catered to.

In the fiercely competitive Las Vegas market, such differentiators are crucial. A racebook known for providing exclusive access to DRF can become a destination for dedicated bettors, driving foot traffic and, consequently, wagering handle. This is particularly true in the run-up to marquee events. The timing of these deals, just weeks before the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on May 1st and 2nd, is no coincidence. As the nation’s attention turns to Churchill Downs, Las Vegas racebooks will be flooded with patrons, and having DRF as the exclusive print guide is a significant competitive advantage.

“These agreements reinforce Daily Racing Form’s leadership position in the racing ecosystem,” noted James J. Zenni, Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of ZCG, in the original announcement. “As demand for high-quality data and insights continues to grow, DRF’s ability to deliver trusted, actionable information at scale, across both print and digital channels, remains a key differentiator.”

A Hybrid Future: Print as a Pillar

This aggressive push into print does not mean DRF is ignoring the future. The company’s website and mobile apps are flush with innovative digital products, from AI-powered handicapping tools to integrated live video. This dual-pronged strategy is the hallmark of its parent, Affinity Interactive, an omni-channel operator aiming to connect with customers at every touchpoint.

The print form serves as a powerful physical anchor for the DRF brand. It acts as both a service to its traditional base and a potential gateway for new users, who may discover the brand through a physical copy at a casino and then explore its deeper digital offerings online. It is a classic hybrid model: using the reach and ritual of print to complement the power and sophistication of digital.

By strengthening its grip on physical distribution while simultaneously investing in digital innovation, DRF is building a comprehensive ecosystem. It ensures that whether a bettor is a seasoned traditionalist with a pen in hand or a new fan engaging through a smartphone, the information they rely on comes from “America’s Turf Authority since 1894.” This latest expansion in Las Vegas proves that even in a digital world, DRF believes the race is won by being present on all fronts.