Youbet/TrackNet: Bettors Shafted/Trouble brewing

[Pedigree Ann]

Surprised no thread has mentioned this. From the TB Times Today:

The contract extension [of a subsidiary] comes just one day after Youbet went public with its dispute with TrackNet Media, a new media management
and content sharing venture between Churchill and Magna Entertainment
Corp.
TrackNet wants the advance deposit wagering company to drop
all content sublicensed by Television Games Network (TVG)—including
the New York Racing Association, Keeneland, and Oak Tree
at Santa Anita—in exchange for Magna and Churchill content.
If the two companies do not reach an agreement, Youbet will not
offer wagering on the Derby.

Some have already capitulated - from my favored site, Brisbet:

Effective Thursday, May 3, there will be changes to the AmericaTAB racetrack lineup. These changes are due to a recent decision to enter into an agreement with the newly-formed TrackNet Media Group LLC, a joint-venture between Churchill Downs, Inc., and Magna Entertainment Corp. AmericaTAB recently became the first account wagering company to sign a content agreement with TrackNet Media, making it a preferred TrackNet partner and giving our customers access to wagering on all Churchill Downs and Magna racetracks.

At the time of this writing, effective on May 3, the following racetracks will not be available for wagering through AmericaTAB for the month of May:

Through May 31, 2007:
Domestic: International:
Calder Race Course Japan Racing
Emerald Downs
Hollywood Park
Arlington Park (until early Aug.)
Los Alamitos
New Jersey (Med, Mth)
New York Racing Association (Belmont Park)
Prairie Meadows

In other words, no TVG contracted tracks.

[SniperSB23]

Yeah, I'm still steaming from that e-mail from Brisbet last night. Hadn't been following this that closely so didn't realize they were involved, thought it was just a Youbet/TVG thing. Is there anywhere else that give free past performances for tracks you wager on? That is what I really loved about brisbet. I'm really considering pulling everything out of my account and only betting on track until they straighten this mess out. I wish Congress would step in and tell them unless they straighten this out that they will lose their exemption from the internet gambling ban.

[brianwspencer]

I'm not happy -- Brisbet is what I use and I had fully planned on sitting around Derby Day and playing Arlington's opening weekend. No dice now.

[ArlJim78]

This steams me to no end, these all or nothing tactics being used.
Screw and annoy loyal players in a stupid attempt to exclude other tracks.
Dolts!

Wonder what would happen if CDI/Magna had the bomb? YouBet and Brisnet headquarters would be effed.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

This steams me to no end, these all or nothing tactics being used.
Screw and annoy loyal players in a stupid attempt to exclude other tracks.
Dolts!

Just makes me go to the most beautiful track in America more now, which means less firing because I will have too much going on, which means more money for Scav

These ADW's must not like compulsive gamblers

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by Scav

Just makes me go to the most beautiful track in America more now, which means less firing because I will have too much going on, which means more money for Scav

These ADW's must not like compulsive gamblers

i haven't figured out what i'm going to do yet. have to see how it shakes out.
but my goal will be to keep my wagering dollars away from those that seek to limit choices. i won't forget this strongarm play just before the derby.

[lemoncrush]

So after reaping the benefits of having exclusive wagering on May 5th,
their not going to have Hollywood, Belmont or Arlington (amongst others) for the rest of the month (and possibly, entire summer)?

Talk about selling your soul.

[XIIPointStables]

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

Surprised no thread has mentioned this. From the TB Times Today:

The contract extension [of a subsidiary] comes just one day after Youbet went public with its dispute with TrackNet Media, a new media management
and content sharing venture between Churchill and Magna Entertainment
Corp.
TrackNet wants the advance deposit wagering company to drop
all content sublicensed by Television Games Network (TVG)—including
the New York Racing Association, Keeneland, and Oak Tree
at Santa Anita—in exchange for Magna and Churchill content.
If the two companies do not reach an agreement, Youbet will not
offer wagering on the Derby.

Some have already capitulated - from my favored site, Brisbet:

Effective Thursday, May 3, there will be changes to the AmericaTAB racetrack lineup. These changes are due to a recent decision to enter into an agreement with the newly-formed TrackNet Media Group LLC, a joint-venture between Churchill Downs, Inc., and Magna Entertainment Corp. AmericaTAB recently became the first account wagering company to sign a content agreement with TrackNet Media, making it a preferred TrackNet partner and giving our customers access to wagering on all Churchill Downs and Magna racetracks.

At the time of this writing, effective on May 3, the following racetracks will not be available for wagering through AmericaTAB for the month of May:

Through May 31, 2007:
Domestic: International:
Calder Race Course Japan Racing
Emerald Downs
Hollywood Park
Arlington Park (until early Aug.)
Los Alamitos
New Jersey (Med, Mth)
New York Racing Association (Belmont Park)
Prairie Meadows

In other words, no TVG contracted tracks.

Interesting that's it's only for one month. Is that the deal - we'll give you the Derby and you dump these racks for the month? Wierd...

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by XIIPointStables

Interesting that's it's only for one month. Is that the deal - we'll give you the Derby and you dump these racks for the month? Wierd...

Trying to let us down easily, I think. They will continue to negotiate, I presume, but no promises.

Magna, on its own, was the first to do the 'exclusive' thing, as I recall - when it launched its own betting site, it wouldn't let anybody else on-line get their signal. Several years ago. TVG's contracts, I think, were a response to Magna's tactic. Magna wasn't big enough to make it stick back then. But now it is, after the alliance with CD (which has disppointed me - I thought their management was more dedicated to the fan than Magna.)