Fee impasse threatening signal distribution (UPDATE: Deal in place)

Kasept · #1 02-02-2015, 07:11 AM

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.

joeydb · #2 02-02-2015, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasept

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.

jnunan4759 · #3 02-02-2015, 08:59 AM

"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.

joeydb · #4 02-02-2015, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnunan4759

"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.

jnunan4759 · #5 02-02-2015, 10:30 AM

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.

ne to socal · #6 02-02-2015, 10:38 AM

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.

jnunan4759 · #7 02-02-2015, 11:22 AM

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.

declansharbor · #8 02-02-2015, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasept

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 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.