The back-to-back race meets scheduled for Caymanas Park in Jamaica March 21 and 22 received good news when the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission rescinded an edict that off track betting parlors were to close because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A horse-racing promoting company, Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited, obtained permission from the Jamaica Racing Commission to run three spectator-free meets with no wagering at Caymanas Park, beginning on March 17.
However, the company’s OTBs remained open.
Following that meet, the commission ordered “all gaming lounges, betting shops and bars with gambling machines” cease, effective March 18, according to Loop Jamaica. The advisory put the weekend race meets in limbo, only to have the commission a day later retract its order to prohibit OTB operations.
The retraction said “the OTBs are required to observe all social distancing guidelines and ensure that no more than 20 persons are accommodated in the venues at any time. All other gambling establishments such as gaming lounges and bars with gambling machines are to remain closed for the next seven days.”
