I went to an OTB for the Preakness. The place has a ton of screens and a bar in the center of it, serves some food. They had special $1 pizza, hot dogs and nachos and some $3.25 beer specials.
The crowd was definitely older and for the most part quiet and having fun with who they came with.
I went to bet on the Preakness and bet on Pimlico 11th cashed a small ticket and bet the 12th and left well before it started. I can't say I've been to an OTB where none of the TV's were playing any sound at all, some screens were blurry or snowy and I kid you not, the TV's looked like they were from the 80's outside of the bigger screens they had.
It was quiet in the whole place, no one was rooting for their horses except one obnoxious as hell guy who was upset his 90-1 wager ran last and was going on and on and on using foul language as if it was all he knew. Typically I don't pay those guys no mind but you had no choice to hear it.
I got up and left and will cash in my tickets and remaining voucher at another time.
Outside of the obnoxious guy, it was a morgue in this place and it was packed. I've been to a lot of OTBs around the country but this one by far was the oddest. Maybe people just don't cheer or get excited anymore or maybe it was just the lack of the sound of the races not being broadcast.
Almost forgot, I saw a table with 1 guy and there's two TV's there for anyone to watch not just for the table. I ask the guy out of courtesy if I could sit there and first thing out of his mouth was "What for?" I answer politely to handicap some races and he goes, well I am betting the dogs and don't bet horses. I look up at the tv monitors and there is two dog tracks. Here it is Preakness Day and this guy is betting .50 trifectas at Flagler and some other greyhound place. I just laugh and wish him luck and remind him it's Preakness Day. He muttered something, he wasn't doing well, he had losing tickets all over but whatever.
It can't be like this everywhere anymore or is it?
Thanks for prior answers if you can elaborate on sound and if people get into the races still. I'd be happy to read your replies.