TOC Issues Priorities for Account Wagering

The Thoroughbred Owners of California released an open letter dated Dec. 15 that lists its priorities as California moves toward account wagering early in 2002.

The TOC letter, signed by chairman Jack Owens and president John Van de Kamp, said the organization has a "unique responsibility" because "owners have proprietary rights to the collective image of racing." The TOC said it will exercise those rights in contract negotiations with racetracks and account-wagering operators.

The priorities stated in the letter are:

- the broadest possible distribution of California's live signal and account wagering through multiple advance video technologies (cable television, satellite, wireless communication, and the Internet);

- the highest possible quality of image transmission;

- fan-friendly access to all California racing on a year-round basis without the necessity of opening multiple wagering accounts;

- protections against poaching and rebate practices that diminish on-track handle, and;

- fair and equitable treatment of all segments of the industry, including owners, with regard to the distribution of (advanced deposit wagering) takeout and profits for both California and out-of-state wagers.