Turf Paradise is not going out of business. The Phoenix-based track that was the Valley of the Sun’s first sports franchise when it first opened in 1956, is not closing its doors. We wish to dispel any concerns you might have or rumors you may have heard, because effective Saturday, January 25, Turf Paradise was ordered to stop offering simulcast wagering on Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, Golden Gate, etc.
Why You Can’t Bet on Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, Golden Gate, etc., at This Time
At a Racing Commission meeting on Friday, January 24, a motion was made and passed by three of the Arizona Racing Commissioners that the law (HB 2547) would have to be followed by the three race tracks in the state, Turf Paradise, Arizona Downs and Rillito Park.
What HB 2547 basically says is that, all simulcast providers sending their races into Arizona have to offer their race products to all tracks and all their Off Track Betting parlors (OTB) equally. In other words, what is offered to one must be offered to all. The constitutionality of HB 2547 is being litigated in the courts right now.
The Monarch Corporation, owned by Santa Anita, provides race signals to the three Arizona race tracks. Signals like, Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, Tampa Bay, to name a few. Monarch also sends its race signals to Turf Paradise’s 60 OTB locations. However, Monarch and Arizona Downs are currently in a contract dispute and Monarch does not send its race products to the one Arizona Downs OTB that is still in operation. Monarch has its own reasons for this decision. Among those reasons is that having competing OTB networks in the same state only results in both of them failing. Thus the Racing Commission ruled that Monarch was in violation of HB 2547, despite the fact that the constitutionality is currently being litigated in the courts, and that Turf Paradise and the other two race tracks had to cease immediately accepting wagers on race tracks from Monarch.
So, What’s Being Done About This?
Turf Paradise is doing everything it can as fast as it can to help get this matter corrected. We know you support Turf Paradise live racing and that you also enjoy the many simulcast tracks Turf offers for your wagering pleasure. We appreciate your business and dedication and apologize for any inconvenience this interruption has caused.
If you wish to state your opinion/complaints to the Arizona Department of Racing, the number to call is (602) 364-1700.
Stay tuned to this site for additional updates.
Vincent Francia
General Manager
Why You Can’t Bet on Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, Golden Gate, etc., at This Time
At a Racing Commission meeting on Friday, January 24, a motion was made and passed by three of the Arizona Racing Commissioners that the law (HB 2547) would have to be followed by the three race tracks in the state, Turf Paradise, Arizona Downs and Rillito Park.
What HB 2547 basically says is that, all simulcast providers sending their races into Arizona have to offer their race products to all tracks and all their Off Track Betting parlors (OTB) equally. In other words, what is offered to one must be offered to all. The constitutionality of HB 2547 is being litigated in the courts right now.
The Monarch Corporation, owned by Santa Anita, provides race signals to the three Arizona race tracks. Signals like, Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, Tampa Bay, to name a few. Monarch also sends its race signals to Turf Paradise’s 60 OTB locations. However, Monarch and Arizona Downs are currently in a contract dispute and Monarch does not send its race products to the one Arizona Downs OTB that is still in operation. Monarch has its own reasons for this decision. Among those reasons is that having competing OTB networks in the same state only results in both of them failing. Thus the Racing Commission ruled that Monarch was in violation of HB 2547, despite the fact that the constitutionality is currently being litigated in the courts, and that Turf Paradise and the other two race tracks had to cease immediately accepting wagers on race tracks from Monarch.
So, What’s Being Done About This?
Turf Paradise is doing everything it can as fast as it can to help get this matter corrected. We know you support Turf Paradise live racing and that you also enjoy the many simulcast tracks Turf offers for your wagering pleasure. We appreciate your business and dedication and apologize for any inconvenience this interruption has caused.
If you wish to state your opinion/complaints to the Arizona Department of Racing, the number to call is (602) 364-1700.
Stay tuned to this site for additional updates.
Vincent Francia
General Manager
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