The Liberal government of Ontario, Canada recently cancelled the Slots at Racetracks revenue sharing program with horsemen to establish 29 new casinos, and people and groups in various sectors are not happy about it. For example, Lisa MacLeod, the Ontario Progressive Conservatives Party candidate who’s running against Liberal Jack Uppal for Member of the Provincial Parliament, said the Liberal government’s cancellation of the program has “devastated” the racing industry. “This Liberal government’s decision to end the Slots at Racetracks Program was reckless and it was irresponsible, it has been detrimental to our province’s rural economies, leading to fewer races, closures and lost jobs,” MacLeod said.
She added if the Conservatives win the June 12 election, they will abandon the Liberals’ plan to “modernize” gaming in Ontario. “We will build off of what is already working and successful, instituting new gaming operations as opposed to building 29 new casinos,” MacLeod said. Officials at the City of Ottawa also agreed that gaming should remain at the raceway, she noted.
Another dissatisfied party is Sudbury Downs, the only racetrack in northern Ontario, which announced that due to the end of the Slots at Racetracks program, live racing will not be offered this year and 100 jobs will be eliminated. Last year only 22 races were offered compared to 60 before the revenue sharing program ended.
Horse trainer Gary McDonald said because horsemen no longer receive the 10 percent share of slot revenues they required for purses, purses and race dates have decreased and all the horse owners have left his 15-year old business. He stated, “This is not newfound money that the government is giving to the horseracing industry. It’s a percentage out of the money that they stole from us.”
But Uppal said the government has earmarked $500 million over five years to stabilize the racing industry and help it grow by increasing its fan base and wagering revenues. “Our plan provides the appropriate public support to maintain a foundation for racing but more importantly it provides the industry with opportunities for growth. The Conservatives claim to be against corporate welfare, yet here they are demanding a subsidy,” Uppal said.
