Horse Racing New Brunswick in Canada plans to open a new facility at 440 Aberdeen Street in downtown Fredericton, not as a casino but as a restaurant and sports bar with horse race simulcasts and video lottery terminals, said HRNB Vice President Brock McEachern. “I’m a little concerned about the fact they use the word ‘casino’ a lot because it’s really not a casino. It’s a sports bar and eatery and it’s going to have more than horse racing, although horse racing will remain our main focus,” McEachern said. He added the venue will honor the history of harness racing in the province.
Furthermore, McEachern said many of the senior citizens residing in the neighborhood “are a big part of our clientele. I find it’s the aging population that really enjoys watching horse racing, likes that low-key, quiet atmosphere and that’s really what we’re looking to bring there. Not so much the party atmosphere, I think that they’re seeing.”
In response to gambling opponents, McEachern noted people can gamble at any store throughout New Brunswick by playing pull-tab scratch tickets and pro-line.
McEachern stated HRNB hopes to open several similar sites throughout the province. “We’re currently in negotiations with several other places to try and take our simulcast outlets throughout the province and make it more accessible to people to be able to enjoy horse racing,” he said.
