Why Turf Paradise closure hurts these Arizona off-track betting sites

From opening until about happy hour, Dave Gill estimates that about 90% of his patrons at Padre Murphy’s come to the restaurant to place off-track bets.

“It’s been kind of a staple at my restaurant,” Gill said. “It’s one of the main things Padre Murphy’s is known for.”

However, in about a week, that feature at Padre Murphy’s and 36 other venues in Arizona will no longer be offered. In Arizona, bars and restaurants that offer off-track betting must be linked with a horse track that runs a live meet during its season. Most were linked to Turf Paradise, which announced Monday it will not continue live racing or simulcasting after Oct. 1.

Without Turf Paradise, the off-track locations will no longer be allowed to have wagering and simulcast in their businesses, a loss that many owners said will immediately cost them a significant portion of revenue.

Gill said people came into Padre Murphy’s, at 43 Avenue and Bell Road in Glendale, daily to place off-track bets, and while they watched the races, they would buy food and drinks and boost the restaurant’s business. Many of the daytime patrons who came were retired, so betting and socializing at Padre Murphy’s was a pastime for them.

“I will definitely lose patronage,” Gill said, adding that his phone has been ringing “off the hook” with patrons asking about the change.

Padre Murphy’s still offers wagering on dog racing, which most other off-track betting sites do not, so Gill said his restaurant will still have some betting, but many of the patrons who bet on horses do not bet on dogs.

For now, Gill plans to halt off-track horse betting at Padre Murphy’s until there is another viable option, but he has no idea when that will be, or if another option could be available.

Hoping to partner with another track

Bettina Harms, manager of the Burg Sports Grill near Seventh Street and Union Hills Drive in Phoenix, said about 25% of her customers daily come in to gamble.

"Everybody is just so sad about it," she said.

Harms said she has talked with people from Arizona Downs, the track in Prescott Valley, which is also not operational, about the possibility of bringing live racing back to that venue. If Arizona Downs were to resume live racing, off-track betting sites could potentially partner with them, she said.

Harms said she hopes that a solution could be found to keep the betting going, even if it takes a while to iron out the details.

Seeking elected officials to step in

Kelli List, a partner at Charley’s Sports Grill near 83 Avenue and Union Hills Drive in Glendale, said the short notice of the change didn’t give business owners any chance to prepare for a sudden loss of business.

Charley’s did not make money directly from offering off-track wagering, but patrons who came in to bet would often stay and buy food and drinks while they gambled and socialized with friends.

“It really is significant,” she said. “To have such short-term notice about it is really unacceptable. It’s really a significant part of our business.”

Betting at the restaurant is a major part of some patrons’ social lives, List said. Many come and spend the mornings there chatting with friends and meeting new people.

“It’s a sense of community,” she said.

List is worried for some other restaurants that depend on off-track betting to bring in customers.  

“This is going to have a drastic economic impact,” she said.

List said the state Legislature could help the businesses out by changing the rules that require off-track betting to be linked to a working racetrack. There are other states that do not require off-track sites to be affiliated with a track, she said, but she is not aware of any effort in Arizona to change that requirement.

“I really feel like the state of Arizona needs to step in,” she said.

The Arizona Department of Gaming’s Racing Commission is scheduled to meet Sept. 28. An agenda for the meeting has not yet been posted. A spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Gaming said the commission would discuss off-track betting at the meeting.

'I don't know anyone it won't hurt'

Along with losing the regulars who like to come in and bet, restaurants will also lose multiple opportunities that Mark Halstengard, owner of O’Kelley’s Sports Bar and Grill in Mesa, refers to as their “super bowls.”

On the days of big races, like the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, the restaurant throws a party that brings in a lot of patrons and hosts different activities like a hat contest and other games along with betting.

“Those are very big days for us. We will miss those,” Halstengard said. “They’re a lot of fun and everyone enjoys them.”

Halstengard said he has many regulars who come in and stay for hours, placing bets and eating food at the restaurant, and worries for those who are losing an enjoyable part of their day.

“We will survive, but where are they going to go? We will miss those people,” he said.

While losing the betting will hit his business, Halstengard said O’Kelley’s, at Dobson and Guadalupe roads, will survive the loss, but he knows other businesses that depend on those customers.

"It'll hurt. I don't know anyone it won't hurt," he said.

Halstengard said all bars and restaurants that were linked with Turf Paradise are now in the same boat, and all will be affected by the change.

“It’s just a shame we have to lose it,” he said.