Maiden King

I know a guy that talked to someone Monday with inside information on the negotiations between TrackNet and the Nevada Pari-Mutuel Association.

He says that the two sides have been making substantial progress and are “very close to a deal” that will bring back simulcast wagering to Nevada casinos from Santa Anita, Gulfstream, Golden Gate, Laurel and Oaklawn.

Over the weekend, the tracks sent a new proposal and the casinos are considering it.

On Jan. 28, TrackNet prohibited 80 Nevada casinos from taking pari-mutuel wagers on five race tracks, forcing casinos to book the bets or take no action. Since then, Santa Anita, Gulfstream, Golden Gate, Oaklawn and Laurel have been blacked out in Nevada. No television signals are allowed, which means horseplayers cannot watch races coming from any TrackNet venue except Fair Grounds.

TrackNet, a partnership of Magna Entertainment and Churchill Downs, is negotiating with the Nevada Pari-Mutuel Association over the fees casinos pay to take pari-mutuel bets on TrackNet’s races.