One other thing that is particularly grating. Since this started PARX has still been selling full Equibase programs and has even increased the prices. DRF was increased to $8.00. I heard they just started to sell a limited 3-track Equibase program, but I'm not sure what that includes, or the price. It's just a few bucks, but grating.

What I've been hearing more and more from other people is that they are seeking alternatives. From what I was told, it's restricted within a certain distance from a track to use a an ADW. For me, I'm limited to PARX and Harrah's Chester. However, that's a PA Racing Commission regulation (part of the Horse Racing Act) and really only is a restriction for the ADW's, so that they won't establish accounts for certain zip codes. For regular people, from what I've been told by a legal source, It's not against any law for someone to use, say, their parent's address to set up and ADW account if they are outside the restrictions. As long as you give a valid SS#, it doesn't violate any law. So I know a bunch of people are doing this.

Those customers may well never come back, especially if they like the new ADW.

The more I learn of this, the more I don't like.

Can you set up a PABets.com account they are run on TVG platform. NJBETS has none of these issuesso I winder if it is the aame for PABets

I do have that set up and it's just ok. There's no rewards that I can see other than free PP's if you bet $10 on that track, after you've paid $3 for them. Parx is just as bad. You get points for every dollar bet and $1600 points get's you a DRF at the track or OTB. No online PP's.

I usually use the accounts for spot plays, horses that I have in my stable mail.

I like to go out and play the races. Either at Parx or the OTB's. I know people there, we hang out, have lunch, handicap, talk, etc. I pretty much have a rotation throughout the year. Gulfstream, Keenland, Triple Crown tracks, Belmont, SAR, Belmont, KEE, BC, AQU outer. I usually play only one track at a time, however will play a horse somewhere else or a stakes race or something.

But I go crazy sitting at home playing the races the way I do. I think it's from being brought up in the non-simulcast era. We used to go to the track and play the card.

Good interview. Heard it on the replay this morning.

Any chance of getting Phil O'Hara on from the Mid-Atlantic Cooperative? I would think he'd have reason to respond (or at least contol the damage) from the now disclosed fact that his organization is the one blocking the signals in spite of Monarch saying that the terms of last year's contract could continue while they negotiated.

Thanks again Steve for all you do for the sport. Without your efforts and interviews like Daruty's appearance, we players would have no information on matters like this and frustration alone would reign.

I do hope they can resolve the dispute before the 3 year old lead up to the Derby starts in earnest.

Have you considered betting via ADW though an IPad (or similar tablet device) at the track or OTB? Should not be an issue so long as they offer WiFi.

I do this at the track - haven't been to the windows in ages.

Bonus - you can book the blocked signal action for a cut of the winnings, if one were so industriously inclined ;)

signal impasse
 

Turf clubs in Philly still half empty , some turf club management clearly nervous about business being down, they know people are staying home to bet on TVG, twin spires etc. , Parx main seems not to care, rumors flying: from closure of some turf clubs to the disputed signals not returning at all.

Not a shock since Parx wants to get out of racing altogether. They don't even advertise that they have a racetrack - just the slots. This will give them an excuse to pare down operations.

Their revenues from gaming are governed by the laws of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. They can't 'pare down operations'. And their simulcast revenue is a raindrop in an ocean anyway. Greenwood is certainly a sad outfit that isn't interested in the racing product, but the Mid-Atlantic/Monarch dispute means little to their business.

Though I can't say what will happen this year with Sal Sinatra gone to Maryland, in their defense, they actively and successfully promoted the PA Derby/Cotillion Day.

Fair enough. They have to keep some racing dates to keep the casino open. But if they were to drop tracks from their simulcast offerings, that really stinks for those in the radius of that "exclusion zone". I doubt the law is written to allow people to go wager Gulfstream somewhere else as an exception to the geographic requirement.

Had exchange with Scott Daruty over the weekend and he gave a slightly hopeful indication that there's some movement that should lead to a resolution sooner than later.

Thanks Steve. I did not mean to be too sweeping in my criticism of Parx. Their top brass just frustrates the hell out of me with their contempt for the sport. Philly area race fans really get no respect here. It's all "slots slots slots."

Interestingly, we still have a racing review show. "Let's go Racing" that I watch every week and I really like Keith Jones and Dick Gerardi. You would not be able to tell that there is a signal impasse, as they are still showing highlights from Gulfstream and other tracks that no one who patronizes Parx or their Turf Clubs can wager on.

"Let's Go Racing" is an marketing vehicle for the PTHA (Parx Horsemen).

Quote from the web site:

**The Let's Go Racing TV Show was founded by Salvatore Debunda, VP of the PTHA, and Bruce Casella in 1992. Michael Ballezzi, the Executive Director of the PTHA, has since joined the team as Technical Advisor. These three individuals are dedicated to helping promote the sport of thoroughbred racing and the horseman at Philadelphia Park.

It is a good show that I look forward to seeing each week. Just ironic that when they talk about a big mutuel there is no way most people could have had it.

I did happen to see it by accident yesterday prior to the Super Bowl. It's bizarre they never talk about the impasse, because that is what most horseplayers in the area are talking about. I'm sure they are told not to. It's like an elephant in the room. I did think it was kind of insulting showing GP race.

Is there anyone who can share what each of the Co-op's members do in terms of handle?

I'd be very curious about:

overall handle as a co-op
handle @ each member facility
handle at live venues vs. no live racing
etc.

Thanks Steve -- I can speak for my fellow Philly area bettors in saying that a quick resolution to this mess is WELCOMED with open arms.

This time of year is when I'm usually brimming with excitement over Gulfstream, Santa Anita, and even a few races out of Tampa. Not this year, quite the opposite actually. The PGA has all of my attention, in it's stead.

I had heard a statement earlier that said it was 1BN/yr, but I'm not sure I believe that. The gray-area is that neither the Co-Op or Monarch are under any requirement to disclose information. Daruty was very frank when on with Steve and I learned more about these deals than ever. I think it's a thing that as long as the state gets it's tax on the bet made, whatever goes on behind the scenes is ok. The racing is not occurring in that state, so the racing commission really has no jurisdiction. It's all part of the interstate wagering federal law. In the state's view, it's just like a sales tax.

I think in the Co-Op, some entities could put several grand a day and some might only account for a couple hundred. I would think at Parx it could account for 100K on a Saturday and much more on a day like Preakness. Maybe more.

I know I go to a Parx OTB and the vast majority of traffic is on other tracks. They've probably seen a slight bump in local Parx handle on Saturday and Sunday due to not offering the Monarch tracks, but what I've seen more is that people just don't go and just don't play with them. Monday and Tuesday are mainly unopposed days, so I expect their handle on those days is relatively unchanged.

I'd be interested to see what effect it has had on TVG. Because of the law, many of the affected players can use a TVG account, PABets, which is Harrah's trotter track ADW. In December, there was only a few I knew who had this type of account. There was no need. You could go to the Parx OTB or bet on phone or internet at any track. Now, everybody I know has this account and uses it.

If I was TVG, I'd try to do anything I could to keep those new customers.

I'd imagine the $ input from the Mid-Atlantic consortium is not enough to cripple Monarch that much. It would be nice to have, but we're not going belly up over it. Otherwise this would be over. I'd say Mid-Atl profits more from Monarch than vice versa. Remember the local horsemen are also involved in this. This will trigger a purse decrease and when that appears (which I think it may have) then all bets are off.

One thing I've learned and Scott Daruty confirmed is that the outrageous takeout in PA is not from the state. I think the maximum State takeout is 2.5% and they takeout 30% on a trifecta at Penn National. Where does that go ? Simple, it's a split between the track and horsemen.

28% of tickets to both. It's easy to see why the Horsemen's officers wear shiny suits and drive around in fancy cars. It's easy to see why they want to be elected every year. Back years ago a trainer would only do that job for a few years. He had to be talked into it. It was a pain in the ass. Now, it must be a moneymaker.

That is insane! I never knew that and I live in PA and am embarassed that we have the worst takeout in the country on exotic wagers. And if what you are saying is true, it's not even for state revenue.

Any updates on this?

I heard they were talking about 2 weeks ago and people at the OTB were ready for something to happen, then nothing. It's really hammered the service employees and business is off 60-70%. Feel bad for the bartenders, waitstaff and tellers. They have cut back hours and laid off some tellers. Most bartenders and waitstaff are making 50% less than the did before 12/9/2014. They ran into that right before Christmas also, which is especially nasty. To me, they're the losers in this.

The winner is probably TVG, which many in Philly can use because of Harrah's, PAbets. Although some people won't use an ADW, guess the are off the grid.

Nevada and NYRA just reached a deal....still dark with 7 Monarch tracks. Can't imagine no wagering on Gulfstream here this weekend!

Monarch & HRTV President Scott Daruty on ATR at 9:30 with HRTV as main topic, but signal talks will come up of course. He said late last night that Vegas deal will be finalized this morning.

Still dark on our end.

Very informative interview today with Steve and Scott Daruty. After listening to him speak several times now, I really get a feeling that he is doing the best he can to resolve this. To see that PNG is the obstacle is no surprise to me.

I could say a lot more on that, but won't. However, I will say that nobody has taken more from horse racing and given less back. Remember it's Penn National Gaming, not Penn National Racing.

Nevada signal back tomorrow while they still work on the "deal." Way too much handle at Santa Anita to forego dark days.

Rosecroft snags settling of signal deal..
 

http://www.drf.com/news/mid-atlantic...al-nearly-done

Mid-Atlantic tracks hit obstacle after deal nearly done
By Matt Hegarty

A cooperative of racetracks and the company controlling the simulcast signals to Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park have agreed to the main pricing aspects of a new simulcast contract, but approval of the pact is being held up by a related issue affecting one of the cooperative’s members, Rosecroft Raceway, according to officials for both sides.

The Mid-Atlantic Cooperative, which represents 23 racetracks and simulcast sites in a smattering of states, and Monarch Content Management, a company owned by the Stronach Group, have been locked in a stalemate over a new simulcasting contract since late last October. According to the officials, the talks produced an agreement over new simulcast rates two weeks ago, but since then, the issue with Rosecroft has forced the two sides to dig in their heels once again.

“We got to economic terms that seemed acceptable a couple of weeks ago, but we’ve reached an issue that is beyond our authority to resolve,” said Phil O’Hara, the executive director of the cooperative, on Friday afternoon.

According to Scott Daruty, the president of Monarch, the situation has arisen because Rosecroft, a harness track, is in pending arbitration with the Stronach Group’s Maryland Jockey Club, the owner and operator of Laurel Park and Pimlico, over the distribution of simulcast revenues to harness and Thoroughbred interests in the state.

Monarch has argued that the arbitration would trigger a clause in the contract allowing the group to negotiate new terms with Rosecroft, depending on how the arbitration is resolved, Daruty said. As a result, Monarch has told the Mid-Atlantic cooperative that it would sign a deal if Rosecroft were excluded, but the Mid-Atlantic has countered that the agreement must include all of its members or none.

Since the dispute arose last year, the members of the cooperative have not offered any simulcast signals from the Stronach Group tracks and several other racetracks, including Tampa Bay Downs. Cooperative members include sites in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, and several other states.

Thx Steve!

It's days like today tht hurt like a punch to the gut.

deal or no deal?
 

Where is Howie Mandel when we need him ?

Does not look like they miss our business either! saw this article this morning: :(

All-sources pari-mutuel handle is up 10.3% year-to-date at Tampa Bay Downs, which puts the Florida racetrack on course to average more than $4 million per day and finish with its highest wagering total since the 2010-11 meet.

Isn't this the second time Monarch offered the signal but Mid-Atlantic refused the offer . :wf

*sigh*

How depressing is it to walk into the Turf Clubs (morgues nowadays) to see the placard on the counter stating which tracks we can't wager on?? Makes me want to ring necks.

Any new updates on when this stupidity might actually end?

I don't have any inside info, but I have a feeling it might be settled by this weekend or shortly thereafter. I told people in Dec. it was going to go to March and I'm sorry I was right. I just never had a good feeling about this and the money is really not the issue. If it was, it would have been settled a long time ago. It's not a lot of money and these tracks (mostly all casinos) don't generate or make a lot of money on this. I'd be surprised if most of these Mid-Atlantic tracks make more than 2 or 3 thousand a day on these signals. Only makes sens on the inside and we're not there and don't have the inside info. I really think it's related to those tracks not wanting racing, just casino business and they are obligated by law to hold racing (not simulcasting. Think another part in the puzzle is the jockey liability issue, which goes on Mar 19th. Really think that Parx wants the jockeys to not sign and then go to the state to force the casino to operate. As the law is now, if they don't race, the casino closes. Same if the horsemen don't sign an agreement, the shut down the casino, which is huge money for both Parx and the state.

This is most probably a raw deal for the jockeys. They sign over any responsibilty to themselves and work as "at risk" contractors. Park would abdicate any responsibility for incidents. This is a result of the "chickens" on the track lawsuit.

wishin & hopin
 

snowed in here in Philly and had time to check out the entries for Saturday's Santa Anita & Tampa Bay cards , both look very good and definitely would enjoy a turf club or Parx visit to cure my cabin fever . is there any chance this is settled ? thought the Meadowlands plea would spur the "co-op" .

wishin & hopin to quote Dusty Springfield via Burt Bachaharach,

geez look what they have done to me ! :zz:

I haven't heard anything new this week, but the jockey situation would seem to make the situation more dire, at least at Parx. Not sure how that will shake out, but am fairly sure the Jockey's Guild will take a stand against it, because the waiver seems to be very broad. In the past, these jockey things have gone all kinds of ways, mostly because most jockeys don't make much and need to work. In the past, it's been dicey.

I'm not sure what the rammifications are with Parx and the casino. Most likely nothing, since ther is no union contract. I know if the Horsemen don't sign a contract, the casino closes. That's one reason we have 30% take out rates in PA.

If the jockeys do force shutdowns, they'll cost the track money on the live card and the exported signal. However, I think it's rather insignificant when compared to the casino. The track is merely an operating expense for the casino.

And the forgotten and ignored horseplayer pays the price.

Any news of any movement at all on this?

Yes apparently. Per Scott Daruty earlier in the week, 'getting closer but still some issues to resolve'..

OK thanks Steve. As you know, while there is next to no coverage of actual racing in the news, there is truly no coverage at all of the impasse except for your show and DRF.

Appreciate how you are keeping us informed.