by Frank Angst

The industry’s upgraded tote communication system designed to put host tracks in control of their pools will begin a pilot program at a single track within the next 12 months.

Wagering Transmission Protocol (WTP) Version 1.0 is scheduled to initially run with the current tote communication system but eventually would replace that system. WTP allows real-time access to pools as tracks will approve incoming off-track wagers before those bets are included in the pools.

James Coil, of Jockey Club Technology Services, told the Association of Racing Commissioners International on Wednesday that WTP would first be tested at a single track during a slow time of year. The pilot program will run for 30 days and WTP will be used to verify wagers, betting figures, and bet originations.

In the pilot program, WTP will be used for every wager and every race on the card. Coil said some tracks have expressed interest in being the first to try WTP.

Owned by Churchill Downs Inc., Magna Entertainment Corp., New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority; New York Racing Association; National Thoroughbred Racing Association Inc.; the Jockey Club; Thoroughbred Racing Associations on behalf of its members; and Woodbine Entertainment Group, WTP eventually will give the host track detailed information on every wager.

WTP also will verify the validity of those bets while communicating details of wagers from a remote system to a racetrack host. Eventually, WTP will allow a central validation source of money entering the pools, serve as a security database, and allow patrons to call up on-demand odds.

Coil said the system technically is not a security system, but will allow for the addition of security software to scan the pools. Still, implementation of WTP is at least two years away.

“We want to take small steps and not bite off more than we can chew,” Coil said.

Also Wednesday, RCI President Ed Martin emphasized the need for regulators to adopt the group’s model rules on wagering security and add RCI’s wagering security program, RCI Integrity Services, or programs approved by RCI.

Martin said he hopes that RCI Integrity Services, which is compatible with the current tote communication system and WTP, will soon be used by several states. He said several jurisdictions are nearing agreements.

In June, Youbet.com is scheduled to be the first customer of RCI Integrity Services, which was formed last year to address wagering system fraud through a national program of independent monitoring and fraud investigation.

Martin commended the strides made by WTP but emphasized that regulators need the information RCI Integrity Services will provide.

Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times