Turf Paradise of Phoenix plans to make its third attempt to bring off-track betting to Sedona with Los Abrigados’ help.

Turf Paradise of Phoenix plans to make its third attempt to bring off-track betting to Sedona with Los Abrigados’ help.

Sedona City Council members could find themselves voting on whether to allow off-track betting in the city in February.

Off-track betting is sanctioned gambling on horse races outside a track.

Turf Paradise tried twice before to start off-track betting in Sedona and failed.

“We went into it both times unprepared,” Turf Paradise Vice President Dave Johnson said.

Now, Johnson said he thinks it will be different.

To make the decision, Mayor Pud Colquitt said she wants to know how residents feel.

“I would like to hear a lot of dialogue from the public,” Colquitt said.

Otherwise, Colquitt said she hasn’t yet formed an opinion.

“I’m just going to have to wait to get all the facts,” Colquitt said.

The public, Johnson said, is why Turf Paradise is pursuing a venue in Sedona.

“There’s been a lot of people who’ve requested it who live in Sedona,” Johnson said.

At Zoomers in Cottonwood — an off-track betting site operated by Turf Paradise — Johnson said the majority of their business is from Sedona residents.

To operate an off-track betting venue, Turf Paradise must receive an off-track parimutuel waging license from the Arizona Department of Racing.

Before a permit is granted, the Department of Racing requires permission from the local governing body — Sedona City Council in this case.

If granted a permit, Turf Paradise’s Sedona betting parlor would be located at Los Abrigados Resort & Spa.

Johnson said Turf Paradise would be responsible for operating the facility.

Los Abrigados would rent the space to Turf Paradise and benefit as the only resort in Sedona offering off-track betting, according to Johnson.

“For Los Abrigados, I think it will be another attraction they can use,” Johnson said.

An ILX representative could not be reached for comment as of press time.

Johnson said the parlor will have little effect on the city.

“You’re probably never even going to know it’s there,” Johnson said.

People who enjoy off-track betting can go to the facility, Johnson said, and those who don’t won’t notice it.

Johnson said the majority of Turf Paradise’s business is from out-of-state visitors.

“Here’s a market Sedona and Los Abrigados has never been able to reach out to,” Johnson said.

So, off-track betting could be a marketing tool for Sedona, according to Johnson.

Turf Paradise races are broadcast all across the nation and Johnson said it will advertise the Los Abrigados off-track betting site during those races.

“It’s going to promote Arizona and it’s going to promote Sedona,” Johnson said.

Turf Paradise has operated off-track betting since it became legal in Arizona 15 years ago.

“That [off-track betting] really is the main source of our business,” Johnson said.

Currently, Turf Paradise operates 54 off-track betting parlors across the state.

“It’s just a way for us to expand our business into other areas,” Johnson said.

Turf Paradise’s expansion across the state is something Johnson said will help it gain approval in Sedona.

“I think people are better educated about it now [than in the past],” Johnson said.