by BETTER FARMING STAFF
There is mounting concern that Ontario’s horse racing industry may have trouble getting out of the gate again after March 31. That’s when the last scheduled races take place under the Slots at Racetracks Program (SARP).
A government panel has recommended reducing the number of tracks, cutting the number of race dates in half and filling purses with money from pari-mutuel wagering. However, Bob Seguin, executive director of the George Morris Centre, says that horse racing industry transition panel final report, released Oct. 30, needs government and industry action to have any impact.
“The implementation of the panel (recommendations) could be delayed, forestalled or shifted to another plane,” Seguin says. “If you’re going to have racing in 2013, there are certain timelines that will still be critical to meet.” There are several other factors to determine, he adds, such as deciding which tracks will remain, whether those tracks can meet the race dates, whether they will have enough horses and whether the purses will be big enough.
Seguin says there is a lot of work to do, but when you throw in government uncertainty it is an even greater challenge. “At the moment,” Seguin says, “the government can make those decisions, but will it make it prior to the leadership? Will it make it after the leadership decision and will it make it before the house returns? All these things are in play.”
Sue Leslie, president of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA), says the process to set race dates after March 31 is going slowly.
“What’s happening right now is the OLG (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation) is in negotiations with racetrack operators to try and obtain lease agreements and that’s the first step in the process” of setting race dates. She says few agreements have been reached.
While Leslie says she’s hopeful, she also says “the OLG and the minister of finance are just not moving this thing at a pace that’s acceptable. We’re trying to operate in good faith and trying to get something done so the industry doesn’t end up destroyed.”
She also says, and Seguin agrees, that the panel and government decision not to say how much money is available to transition the industry from slot income – estimated at about $350 million a year – to wagering income is a problem.
“We’re running out of time,” Leslie says. BF
Comments
When the present system came in about a dozen years ago, it had "a rising tide lifts all boats" influence - a $2,000 horse became a $10,000 horse because the money coming from the slots went back out in the form of increased purses, and more racing dates, for the winning horses. It had other effects too - human nature being what it is, a part-time horse racer with a $2,000 truck pulling a $1,000 horse in a $200 trailer, became a full-time stable owner with a $50,000 truck pulling five $10,000 horses in a $20,000 trailer. And, alas, horse owners, and training stables, are, in too many cases, right back to what they've long been known for - not paying their bills. Furthermore, when it comes to public policy trade-offs, the hospital in my town (Clinton) needs a new ultra-sound machine, and it would be just that much easier for government to afford to buy that machine if they weren't also supporting the purchases of $50,000 pickup trucks at the race track two blocks from the hospital. And, please, horse racing fans, don't go into a speed-wobble about the jobs lost when this $350 million windfall ends, because there could easily be far-more jobs created if, for example, the money was spent elsewhere, and that's been the government's position all along, and it's a position, in part because I was once on the Board of Directors of our local hospital, with which I agree.
Stephen Thompson, Clinton ON
You created a picture that has some fact but too much deception. It is true that the welfare of those in the equine-agricultural communities excelled. However this is also true for many in other industries - teachers at $80k, nurses at $100k, police officers at $70k+, insurance at $60k+. The list is endless so why not the equine-agricultural community. The govts spent $1billion +++ to bail out fewer auto industry workers. Why do you have a double standard? If your hosiptal needs an ultra sound machine, ask the CEO and his Board to cut their salaries so as to make your necessary equipment a reality.
You don't seem to understand that the horse racing industry, an industry which is, at best, an entertainment venue, has had a 12-year "gravy train" which can no longer be justified as being good public policy. What other sector of the entertainment industry enjoys this much effectively-public money? - none!
Stephen Thompson, Clinton ON
The comments made yesterday reflect the reality that indeed, first of all, the income levels for every industry in this province have increased substantially over the years and that the reasonable expectation ( a guide line that governs us all) is that the equine-agricultural community could and should expect a similar increase. There is one additional issue that must be mentioned. When the casinos first moved in, the govt and OLG assumed complete control of racing dates. For example, Fort Erie went from five days to three days per week. Imagine no racing on Saturday, the lucrative day. Georgian Downs was similarly the victim of reduced racing dates to two days per week. Further, the ability of the tracks to sell off-track betting to other venues was reduced under the complete control of the OLG. Imagine betting Fort Erie, Flamborough, and Kawartha in Las Vegas. That was a big money winner for the tracks. The sad reality is that while the casinos were present, the OLG supressed the promotional and marketting ability of the tracks. Now OLG wishes to remove the casinos without any marketting capabilities for the tracks to survive. How cruel! Think fo the people! OLG is a non elected organization. This is still a democracy isn't it?
Michael Pawlowski, Hamilton, Ontario.
The horse racing industry went from zero support a dozen years ago to what is estimated to be $350 million annually now - and yet you have the unmitigated gall to suggest there is a "reasonable expectation" that this support should not only continue, but actually be increased. Sorry, horse people, but this is a democracy, and it's time you realized you are not the only industry in the Province, and you are not the only people in the Province.
Stephen Thompson, Clinton ON
The fact that 25% of all racetracks IN NORTH AMERICA are/were in Ontario should be proof enough that the Ontario industry was overdeveloped beyond all reasonable expectations.
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