by Frank Angst

Key California players plan to meet next week to discuss an extension of the current account wagering experiment that is scheduled to end at the conclusion of the Hollywood Park meeting on July 13.

The California Horse Racing Board has authorized Chairman Richard Shapiro and Vice Chairman John Harris to meet with racetracks, horsemen, and the state’s four licensed advance deposit wagering companies in an effort to have the experiment continue for the balance of this year’s racing calendar.

The CHRB reports an 8% increase for ADW wagering within the state and a 10% increase in ADW wagering on races in the state.

A key player in the discussions will be Television Games Network, which would enjoy exclusive agreements with Del Mar, Fairplex Park, and the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meetings if the agreement is not extended. TVG General Counsel John Hindman suggested the company is willing to consider an extension of the current plan, which allows all of the ADW companies to take wagers on California races.

“TVG supports continuation of the experiment based on a fair exchange of ADW rights,” Hindman said. He said TVG would continue exchanging wagering content “at fair prices.”

The Thoroughbred Owners of California support the extension. Without an extension, TOC President Drew Couto said the California owners would seek a new agreement in which they would ask that 7% of ADW handle be committed to purses. The Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Group, which already is seeking similar percentage increases in Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania would assist the TOC in negotiations.

Testimony at the monthly CHRB meeting on June 27 was unanimously in support of continuing to allow all ADW account holders to wager on all California races regardless of whether they use XpressBet, TVG, YouBet, or TwinSpires. Many speakers cited strong sentiment from fans for continuing to offer open wagering.

Chairman Shapiro and Vice Chairman Harris will try to facilitate an agreement on an extension.

“Everyone wants open wagering to continue. The key will be trying to find the combination that will enable that to happen,” Shapiro said. “We owe it to our fans to make this happen. They should come first. And given the success of open wagering so far, I can’t see any reason why it shouldn’t continue.”

Ron Charles, president of Santa Anita, said it is a “no-brainer” to continue the experiment. “The fans are behind it 100%.”

Frank Angst is senior writer of Thoroughbred Times