HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICAExecutive NewsletterA daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyondStanley F. Bergstein, EditorTuesday, August 31, 2010EXCHANGE BETS ON HOLDThe last minute attempt to rush throughan exchange betting rule in California hasbeen slowed by cooler heads. DemocraticState Senator Ron Calderon reportedlybrokered a deal -- his office emphasized itwas a compromise and not complete consensus-- to postpone until May of 2012the effective date of a bill sponsored byBetfair and pushed by Assembly SpeakerJohn Perez. That gives horse racingin the state 20 months to work on rulesand implementation, and allows the impetuousracing board time to think aboutwhat it enthusiastically endorsed lastweek. In the face of delayed Senate confirmationof his reappointment and thatof three of his board members includingactress Bo Derek, Board ChairmanKeith Brackpool acknowledged the delaywould “give everyone in the industry timeto work through their issues and come upwith regulations.” The weekend barteringwound up with two powerhouses -- Betfairand Magna International Developments-- playing their best political cards.Opposition by California’s thoroughbredtrainers also played a significant role inthe reversal. The bill, which had beenamended in the Assembly under Perez’sleadership, originally proposed takeoutincreases on exotic bets -- still an importantissue in the bill -- and had exchangebetting added in a last-minute bid forquick passage. Chalk one up forMagna and the trainers.STRIFE IN THE EAST, TOOMore than 220 speakers will begin voicingtheir views tonight in the second Battle ofGettysburg, this one being fought overwhether a casino should be allowed toopen close to the sacred hallowed groundwhere thousands died during the CivilWar. Among the views to be expressedare those of 278 historians, who signed aletter objecting to the casino. The proponentof the project, Gettysburg businessmanDavid LeVan, gets an hour to speaktonight. Preservation organizations andlocal politicians get 10 minutes each. Individualsget 3 minutes. Even with thatschedule, it is expected to take at least twosessions, tonight and tomorrow, for everyoneto be heard.The second New Jersey “gaming summit”to discuss plans for the Meadowlands andNew Jersey racing is scheduled for a weekfrom Friday, Sept. 10, in Pegasus at theMeadowlands.The Seneca Indian Nation’s tribal councilhas voted to withhold slot fees to the state.The tribe has paid $707.2 million in suchfees, $58.2 million of that last year andanother $32 million in the first six monthsthis year, but now are rebelling because ofloss of exclusivity in western New York.Action -- or at least heated discussion --today on labor contracts and New YorkCity OTB’s proposal to turn over phoneaccount betting to thoroughbred andharness tracks in the state.