Arizona Simulcasting Dispute Continues

During a meeting of the Arizona Racing Commission Dec. 10, representatives from Arizona Downs, Turf Paradise, and Monarch Content Management argued over simulcasting contracts in the state, and no resolution to their ongoing dispute was reached.

Simulcast racing from a group of major racetracks to Arizona has been disrupted amid conflicts between the parties. Monarch, owned by The Stronach Group, brokers simulcast agreements between TSG-owned tracks and some other racetracks in North America.

This year's Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course was cited as a major race that was not simulcast to Arizona.

Attorneys and officials from Monarch and Turf Paradise said Arizona Downs had been offered the same simulcast agreement of television signals as one the one proposed to Turf Paradise, but Kory Langhofer, an attorney representing Arizona Downs, said the proposal presented to Arizona Downs would have been ruinous to sign for the track and their off-track-betting parlors.

"The only offer is the one that doesn't have commingled betting pools, the one that was before you at the last session," he said of the prior commission meeting. "We won't sign it. It's the poison the doctor wants to drink to see if the medicine works."

Commissioners examined updated language in the racing statute that is meant to ensure that all tracks in the state receive the same simulcast offer, but sides differed whether that was applicable to betting pools. Commingled pools are typically preferred by bettors due to their larger size and return of betting payoffs generated by the host track.

Commissioners failed to pass any motions related to the dispute but pledged continued work to resolve the impasse, as did Rep. David Cook on a legislative front.