Monarch-Controlled Signals Back in Nevada

After a dispute led Nevada's race books to cut off the signal to Tampa Bay Downs and Turf Paradise for a day, the Nevada Pari-Mutuel Association and Monarch Content Management struck a temporary agreement Feb. 19 to allow Monarch-controlled simulcasts at the state's betting venues.

Monarch, an arm of The Stronach Group, represents 11 racetracks, including Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, and Golden Gate Fields. All were in danger of not being broadcast through the weekend before the parties settled on a short-term extension of their current agreement.

"I sure don't see another interruption in the signal, and I think that is the primary objective for the casinos and for us," Monarch president Scott Daruty said Feb 19.

Daruty opted not to address specific details regarding the ongoing negotiations with the NPMA, but told the Las Vegas Review-Journal Feb. 18 the dispute is based on a $490,000 debt Monarch believes it is owed by the association. Daruty said the money has been accruing for four years and is based on a $120 monthly fee charged to each casino that uses the Monarch video.

"We're offering them the same rate they've been paying the last four years," Daruty told the Review-Journal. "We're not asking for an increase. What we're asking is that they pay the fee, which is part of the previous deal. I'm even willing to forget about what they owe us, as long as they pay us the fee going forward."

Daruty told The Blood-Horse the issues over the casinos' fees are still unresolved. "There is still a disagreement over what the previous agreement means," he said.

Patty Jones, executive director of the NPMA, wouldn't comment on the ongoing negotiations but did confirm the "short-term" agreement allowing Monarch simulcasts to be broadcast in Nevada casinos effective immediately.

Monarch is involved in an ongoing simulcast-fee dispute with the MidAtlantic Cooperative, which represents 23 racetracks that have been without Monarch signals since Dec. 1.

"These are two completely unrelated issues," Daruty said. "What's going on (with) MidAtlantic is completely different to what is going on in Nevada."

The Review-Journal also cited Nevada Gaming Control Board figures, which said the state wagered $344.2 million on horse racing in 2014.