Tracknet/Mid Atlantic Impasse

[cj]

I wasn't knocking you Jeff, I realize you are just passing on what you know. As usual though, not a peep about the bettors while they fight over our dwindling handle.

[Mike_412]

Appreciate the update Jeff.

[njcurveball]

Thanks for your work and updates on this Jeff.

[Canarsie]

Originally Posted by Jeff P

Hey, I'm just playing reporter... interviewing both sides and trying to convey as accurately as possible what each side told me so that players know what to expect.

Fast forwarding about a month from now... unless this thing is resolved... and it may not be...

Gulfstream, Oaklawn Park, Santa Anita... as things stand right now those signals are going to be impacted by this. Players showing up to bet horses live at Mid Atlantic Coop outlets would not have access to those signals. However, those signals would still be availabe through ADWs... Exception: The state of New Jersey... which doesn't allow NJ residents to use outside ADWs.


-jp

.

Great info Jeff as I haven't been able to bet Churchill or Fair Grounds since the impasse started. Maybe the new Governor will change the rules can't be more anti horse player than Corzine.

[Sweeney]

I live in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and one of the impacts of this Mid-Atlantic/Tracknet dispute is that horseplayers who live in this area only legally have one choice of account wagering companies: Philly Park's Phonebet, which of course is not taking Tracknet wagers.

Horseplayers who reside in most of SE PA cannot open a wagering account with Xpressbet, TVG, or Twin Spires - if you call those companies, or attempt to open an account online, you will be denied. So, for those of us here, we have no way at all of wagering on Churchill, Fair Grounds, and now soon Oaklawn and maybe even Santa Anita - it's ludicrous.

I'm wondering if there is anyone from HANA or in this forum who can advise on how we might be able to break Phonebet's monopoly. While Phonebet is good in some ways, they are behind the times in many ways (betting interface hasn't been updated in 10 years; credit card deposits carry exorbitant fees; etc.), so breaking their hold would be beneficial in many ways.

Thanks in advance for any advice --

[castaway01]

Originally Posted by Sweeney

I live in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and one of the impacts of this Mid-Atlantic/Tracknet dispute is that horseplayers who live in this area only legally have one choice of account wagering companies: Philly Park's Phonebet, which of course is not taking Tracknet wagers.

Horseplayers who reside in most of SE PA cannot open a wagering account with Xpressbet, TVG, or Twin Spires - if you call those companies, or attempt to open an account online, you will be denied. So, for those of us here, we have no way at all of wagering on Churchill, Fair Grounds, and now soon Oaklawn and maybe even Santa Anita - it's ludicrous.

I'm wondering if there is anyone from HANA or in this forum who can advise on how we might be able to break Phonebet's monopoly. While Phonebet is good in some ways, they are behind the times in many ways (betting interface hasn't been updated in 10 years; credit card deposits carry exorbitant fees; etc.), so breaking their hold would be beneficial in many ways.

Thanks in advance for any advice --

Sweeney, that's a good post. I live in NJ but know a lot of PA horseplayers---their situation was better than ours 10 years ago but is much the same now. I realize there's probably nothing that can change this for any of us, but we can always hope.

Jeff, thanks for your efforts and keeping us informed.

[Canarsie]

I wonder who is going to give in as the Derby approaches? If I was mid Atlantic at that point my proposal would be "cya" not going to happen.

Of course that's not going to transpire because both sides will want a slice from the wagering public on that day.

My two cents.

[rrbauer]

Originally Posted by Sweeney

I live in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and one of the impacts of this Mid-Atlantic/Tracknet dispute is that horseplayers who live in this area only legally have one choice of account wagering companies: Philly Park's Phonebet, which of course is not taking Tracknet wagers.

Horseplayers who reside in most of SE PA cannot open a wagering account with Xpressbet, TVG, or Twin Spires - if you call those companies, or attempt to open an account online, you will be denied. So, for those of us here, we have no way at all of wagering on Churchill, Fair Grounds, and now soon Oaklawn and maybe even Santa Anita - it's ludicrous.

I'm wondering if there is anyone from HANA or in this forum who can advise on how we might be able to break Phonebet's monopoly. While Phonebet is good in some ways, they are behind the times in many ways (betting interface hasn't been updated in 10 years; credit card deposits carry exorbitant fees; etc.), so breaking their hold would be beneficial in many ways.

Thanks in advance for any advice --

Don't look to any of the ADW's that you mentioned for relief from exorbitant fees on Credit Card deposits. And, I guess that PB still doesn't take ACH deposits? I don't use PB very often anymore but even with its look outdated I never had a problem with getting bets placed and switching the display to "grid" on some exotics made it easy to see what the probables were at the time I placed the bets.

Horseplayers need to think about the level of disrespect that they are getting from the various factions that control the industry and take their business elsewhere (when racetracks and their "muscle" tell you that they don't want your business, how big a clue do you need?). Try Tampa Bay Downs, for example, which opens on December 12. Tampa is going to a more conventional Wed-Sun calendar this year (no more Tampa Tuesdays--damn!). Tampa has stayed out of the past HBPA frays and does its own ADW/simulcast deals without the "help" of Tracknet.

[Mike_412]

Originally Posted by rrbauer

Horseplayers need to think about the level of disrespect that they are getting from the various factions that control the industry and take their business elsewhere (when racetracks and their "muscle" tell you that they don't want your business, how big a clue do you need?). Try Tampa Bay Downs, for example, which opens on December 12. Tampa is going to a more conventional Wed-Sun calendar this year (no more Tampa Tuesdays--damn!). Tampa has stayed out of the past HBPA frays and does its own ADW/simulcast deals without the "help" of Tracknet.

I understand what you're saying RR and agree to an extent, but some players have probably put in so much time learning particular circuits and individual racetracks that they'd prefer not to start over by having to learn an unfamiliar track.

So what happens? The player either goes offshore, enjoys his/her rebate and uninterrupted wagering signals and probably does not return to onshore pools. Or the player says screw this, I'm tired of the bs and decides to spend his/her dollar on something other than racing. Neither option is good for the game and the industry has no one to blame but themselves. That will of course be a problem being that the motto of this industry should be "It's not us, it's them!!!"

I've stated before that I'm a 30 year old horseplayer that wagers a considerable amount of money. You'd think racing would want to keep me around. They say they do, but their actions speak otherwise. This impasse is the final straw for me personally. If it doesn't get resolved by the time Gulfstream and Santa Anita begin, I walk away. It's actually not walking away, but more like being pushed out the door. Simple as that.

[grimm7]

I am so angry over this nonsense. I been playing horses for 37 years and am ready to walk away from playing horses because of this impasse mess. I played Gulfstream and Santa Anita in the winter for years and had good sucess. I have played Tampa in the past but have no luck there. I want to play the tracks I do well at and not be forced to play something else because of this mess. If these people who run these tracks have no sense or do not care about the players the hell with them. I hope they all go bankrupt.

[njcurveball]

Originally Posted by castaway01

Sweeney, that's a good post. I live in NJ but know a lot of PA horseplayers---their situation was better than ours 10 years ago but is much the same now. I realize there's probably nothing that can change this for any of us, but we can always hope.

Jeff, thanks for your efforts and keeping us informed.

Originally Posted by Stillriledup

Why not move out of NJ?

Maybe if everyone follows his advice and moves they will do something?

[InsideThePylons-MW]

Questions for someone/HANA to ask Daruty next time they talk to him.

1. Will Tracknet tracks agree to pay the same rate to Mid-Atlantic tracks for their signals that they want them to pay for Tracknet signals?

After he answers NO......

2. How is that fair?

3. Many of the Tracknet tracks don't take any (SA,GG,etc), or only take a few of the Mid-Atlantic signals so.......Why do you expect tracks to pay more for your signal when money is only going "one-way" which is against the basic fairness of "track to track" simulcasting agreements?

[njcurveball]

No sense handicapping Santa Anita if you live in the Mid Atlantic.

Gulfstream and Oaklawn look like they can be ruled out as well.

Taking away major meets like this, especially the ones leading up to the Triple Crown are a great way racing does their best "Plaxico Burress" impression!

In an area where slots and other casino games are expanding and thriving, racetracks will lose more and more customers because of this.

Darwin Award nominee, two years in the running if this continues in 2010.

Dumb

"It does not appear that they are going to accept our proposal," Daruty said. "They've refused to pay any increase at all and they are sticking to their position."

Dumber

"Everything has flowed from the Mid-Atlantic to TrackNet," Lieberman said. "There has been virtually no response."

Dumbest

A similar dispute is threatening to impact the availability of TrackNet's signals on Television Games Network, the largest account-wagering company in the U.S., beginning with Santa Anita's opening

[grimm7]

Does anyone have an E-mail or phone number for Tracknet. I looked on line and cannot find anything. I like to contact these idiots for peace of mind and let them know they are ruining the game I love.

[KM1234]

TrackNet's phone number is 502-458-8890.

They are owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated.

Website: www.churchilldownsincorporated.com