Golden Gate Fields proposed to not import out-of-state signals for its next meet.

[Andy Asaro]

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Excerpt:

CHRB executive director Rick Baedeker said the board's "current legal position is that the board cannot force you to import out-of-state signals," although he, and CHRB chairman Chuck Winner, wanted that position to be reviewed by the board's legal counsel. The CHRB's exact position on that issue was a main sticking point for Daruty, and Baedeker said the CHRB could get that answer to The Stronach Group by the end of next week.
Jack Liebau, vice president of the Los Alamitos Racing Association, said the legality of whether it's required to import simulcast signals was a separate issue from "what is in the best interest of racing" and said "the perception is that (The Stronach Group) is going to starve these satellite facilities and put them out of business."

Thoroughbred Owners of California president and CEO Greg Avioli said the TOC cannot reach an agreement with The Stronach Group without knowing how Golden Gate intends to replace the handle (and purses) generated by the regional satellites or by wagering on imported signals.

"Absent another plan that would show how those purses would get paid, it would be virtually impossible for us to reach an agreement," Avioli said.
Most of the satellite facilities in the region are operated at fair sites and California Association of Racing Fairs executive director Larry Swartzlander called the plan to not import out-of-state signals "another step in eliminating the fairs. ... I can't see us separating importing signals from agreements with the satellites."

John Valenzuela—president of Local 280, the Pari-Mutuel Employees Guild—called The Stronach Group plan "an attack on labor," and called the organization "a bully."

[AlsoEligible]

So in layman's terms, if you show up at Golden Gate or any other Northern California facility, and walk up to a physical terminal, your only betting options would be California tracks (or Hong Kong two days a week).

If you want to bet Belmont, Gulfstream, or anything else, you need to pull out your phone or tablet and do it through an ADW. Given how resistant bettors have been to adopting phone/tablet betting on-track, that's a pretty bold strategy.

Between TSG owning AmTote and XpressBet, I could see some kind of kiosk being developed to replace existing terminals. Where the interface looks largely the same, but can only be used by swiping an XpressBet account card. Then you'd have access to a full betting menu, and wagers would be treated as if they were being made through the ADW, rather than on-track. People who refuse to get an ADW account or want to stick to cash/vouchers could use "legacy" terminals at the facility to just bet on California races.

I'm guessing this is part of the business plan that Daruty wouldn't show. Certainly TSG isn't going to just tell patrons they can't bet anything out-of-state...they're going to try and redirect that revenue through an ADW (and preferably the one they own).

If the CHRB has no legal basis to stop this (and it doesn't seem like they do), this is going to upset a lot of apple carts in California. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though.

[stlseeeek]

So in layman's terms, if you show up at Golden Gate or any other Northern California facility, and walk up to a physical terminal, your only betting options would be California tracks

Might as well throw your cash down the toilet.

Cali racing is garbage

[Dave Schwartz]

Do the geniuses in CA racing really think that they will get more people to the track by forcing them to only bet their wonderful 5-horse field product?

[jay68802]

Originally Posted by Dave Schwartz

Do the geniuses in CA racing?

[thaskalos]

Will the Golden Gate signal be exported to out-of-state wagering outlets?

[jay68802]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

Will the Golden Gate signal be exported to out-of-state wagering outlets?

Of course, can't give up the $$$.

[Redboard]

Originally Posted by jay68802

Of course, can't give up the $$$.

Whew! Thank God. They had me worried there for a minute.

[JohnGalt1]

Ladbroke tried it at Canterbury Park. During Canterbury races there was no betting on other tracks. It worked so well in boosting live handle, the track closed.

A year later Curtis Sampson bought it and now, like most tracks, allows betting on a full schedule of simulcast races.