Bay Meadows Signal Expands to TVG

The Bay Meadows racing signal will be available to all three legal account deposit wagering companies in California when the Bay Area track opens for business under new management Feb. 2.

Jack Liebau, president of the new Bay Meadows Racing Association, said Televison Games Network (TVG), YouBet, and XpressBet would handle wagers from Bay Meadows.

Liebau said he believes that ADW has resulted in some incremental handle increases, making it desirable to extend Bay Meadows' availability to as many home bettors as possible.

"However, I suspect that a large number of people have found it to be more convenient to wager from home rather than go to the track or an off-track facility," he added. "I do have concern that the amounts otherwise payable to the state – the stabling and vanning fund and the marketing fund – may have been adversely impacted by ADW."

Previously operated by Magna Entertainment Corp., the track had been affiliated with XpressBet and its television carrier, HorseRacing TV. Magna's lease expired Jan. 1 and was not renewed by owner Bay Meadows Land Co.

Other major tracks in California have exclusive agreements for their television signal with either TVG or HRTV. By opening its signal to all authorized ADW carriers, Bay Meadows joins the tracks associated with the California Authority of Racing Fairs.

Liebau said he hopes that ADW will eventually expand to new locations such as shopping malls, bars, and country clubs.