Youbet/TrackNet: Bettors Shafted/Trouble brewing

[Scav]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

I like it how they try and make it sound like they are being victimized and then in the end admit that really it all comes down to them not wanting to allow Youbet to have an advantage over them and that they are willing to make the industry as a whole suffer in order to not allow Youbet that advantage.

Which is smart business, why would you allow your competition to hold an advantage.

I get the feeling that TVG will be taken over by twinspires.com. Youbet is the largest ADW and they have some power. When TVG tried to strong arm them, Hawthorne told them to GFY and said your handle sucks, so I will sign an agreement with YB. What do you think when tracks like Del Mar and Belmont start losing handle? They are going to tell TVG/Tracknet to stop F'n around and get something done or lose our business relationship. Keeneland is the same way. Not having Youbet in their pools will hurt them significantly.

Short term, this ends up f'n the bettors, but long term, I think we will end up with 3 providers and all of them will have the same tracks, and they will differiate by what they provide as far as software.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by rdgamblr

“We believe ADW companies should differentiate themselves based on innovation, customer service, customer satisfaction and the quality of their wagering platform - not based on exclusive content agreements. Unfortunately, for almost a decade our industry, and the growth of ADW, has been encumbered by exclusive content arrangements held by Television Games Network (“TVG”).

This is the smartest thing that he said.

To think positive about this, do you think that Tracknet was possibly just trying to eliminate some of these exculsive contracts to end up leveling the field. I think the above quote signals that

[sumitas]

And you think these turkeys will allow coolers and such into the NY tracks. They'll shake down the fans for every last dime and kill the attendance.
http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=38568

[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.

[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.)

[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.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by 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.

You guys have to realize it isn't just because of the Kentucky Derby, it was just tactical. Ameritab wouldn't have access to Calder/Arlington/Churchill/Magna if they didn't do this agreement. Would you rather not have ALL those meets and the TVG tracks? I think not.

As far as Belmont is concerned, I think you will see that fly back to everyone real fast, no way those NY boys are going to handle a decrease in handle because of political BS.

Originally Posted by Scav

I am just going to stop gambling, my handle alone will make all these f'ers rethink their practices. I doubt their are many doing $100 straight exactas at CAL-EXPO

If there was some sort of unity between people that wager, the tracks, online companies, etc... would all come to an understanding much more quickly. Its too bad people cant hold back from betting at one track or thru one provider for a week. The pocket hurting has a beautiful way of making things work out.

[XIIPointStables]

And it does not seem like a great sign that, with two days to Opening Day at Churchill Downs, that Twin Spires site is still not up and running.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by XIIPointStables

And it does not seem like a great sign that, with two days to Opening Day at Churchill Downs, that Twin Spires site is still not up and running.

That is just downright dumb by them, Youbet used to CRASH all the time on big days, (not anymore)...Do they think they are just going to be running smoothly on the highest wagering day of the year...crazy thinking going on right there by CHD

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by Scav

That is just downright dumb by them, Youbet used to CRASH all the time on big days, (not anymore)...Do they think they are just going to be running smoothly on the highest wagering day of the year...crazy thinking going on right there by CHD

They're dreaming if they think at this late date to get it up and running and people converted over and learn to use their interface etc. It takes time.
Screw them, for betting the derby i'll use brisbet since they sold their soul.

after that i'll be loyal to youbet. at least they had the balls to stand up to this nonsense.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by Scav

That is just downright dumb by them, Youbet used to CRASH all the time on big days, (not anymore)...Do they think they are just going to be running smoothly on the highest wagering day of the year...crazy thinking going on right there by CHD

Used to have to bet way early just to make sure you could get 'em in.

I'm sure TS is Beta testing and with a handfull of people and everything is smooth, but come Derby Day, watch the crash happen....

They should have been up and running for a month or two before the Derby. They are arrogant and naive to think they can launch this thing Derby Week.

I'll be at the 2nd most beautiful track on Derby Day, because I'll be damned if I am going to give Magna my business and juice my Xpressbet account to play Churchill.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Used to have to bet way early just to make sure you could get 'em in.

I'm sure TS is Beta testing and with a handfull of people and everything is smooth, but come Derby Day, watch the crash happen....

They should have been up and running for a month or two before the Derby. They are arrogant and naive to think they can launch this thing Derby Week.

I'll be at the 2nd most beautiful track on Derby Day, because I'll be damned if I am going to give Magna my business and juice my Xpressbet account to play Churchill.

I just got off the phone with XpressBet. That place is an ADVENTURE.

They told me that I need to reactivate my account (ok, I understand this) and that for the first three months, I won't be able to withdrawal via electronic check until I become a VIP member (1,000 wagered a month, um that is like 5 wagers for me). She had to put me on hold three times until she could tell me if they had a reward program.

DOWN GOES THE AWD industry......