Woodbine Entertainment Group could be interested in restoring internet wagering to the Quebec market if it can be worked out logistically, president and chief operating officer Nick Eaves said

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"There would be an interest (by Woodbine) in helping serve the market. That's a role we'd be happy to play. I just don't know at this point how it can materialize. We'll make some inquires," Eaves said, though no formal approach to the company had been made as of today.

Woodbine's involvement would not extend to live racing or the operation of teletheatres, he said.

Woodbine's internet wagering platform, HorsePlayer Interactive, already provides the service in most of the country. Quebec was an exception, as racetrack operator Attractions Hippiques opted to introduce its own system, Paritel/Webphonebet. It went dark when Attractions Hippiques ceased operations this week.

Quebec's 16 provincial teletheatres, all independently owned, are still showing races on TV screens but took their last bets on Tuesday.

Christian Tremblay, who owns the teletheatre in the suburban city of Brossard, said the operators will have no choice but to change concepts if the current impasse lasts more than a month.

"The longer there's no betting at all, the worse it will be," he said. "There's still $130 million a year bet on horseraces in Quebec. There's demand and a lot of jobs are at stake. There's no way this should just disappear."

(Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)