alcohol and gaming commission of ontario

Lawson: Woodbine’s Experience, Infrastructure ‘Key’ To Canada’s Sports Betting Landscape

The passage of Bill C-218 on Tuesday moved Canada one step closer to legalizing single-game sports betting, and CEO Jim Lawson told tsn.ca that Woodbine is ideally positioned to take advantage of the estimated US$14 billion industry.

“It's good news for us for a number of reasons,” Lawson told TSN. “We have a long-standing relationship with the regulator, AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario), experience in any anti-money laundering and responsible gaming and we have the infrastructure in place to drive the operations that will be key to this business.”

Another benefit to Woodbine included in the bill is protection for horse racing, with prohibitions on fixed-odds wagering on the races.

“Betting companies that by their nature and history want to offer horse-racing as part of their sports-betting menu are going to have to come to Woodbine Entertainment,” Lawson told TSN. “We hold the license for sports-betting on horse racing in Ontario and Bill C-218 does not permit fixed-odds wagering on horse racing so they have to do it through pari-mutuel and they will have to do it through us.”

Currently, parlays (multi-event bets) are legal to wager on in Canada; the new bill will make individual provinces and territories responsible for regulating single-game sports wagering.

The bill awaits Royal Assent before it becomes law.

Fort Erie Race Track Adds Two Days To 2021 Racing Calendar

Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium (FELRC) announced Thursday that they have applied to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to add two additional race days to Fort Erie's racing calendar. The additional days will be added at the end of the season on Oct. 25 and 26, increasing the total number of race days to 42, up from the approved 40 days.

Purses for the two added race dates will be in addition to those initially planned. FELRC's application to the AGCO has the support of Ontario Racing, Ontario Racing Management, the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Jockeys' Benefit Association of Canada, Racing Forensics, and the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation.

“Two more race days will greatly help Fort Erie's resident horse people and will also help to attract more trainers and horses to Fort Erie's backstretch,” said Claude Pilato, chair of FELRC's Board of Directors.

As spring approaches, Fort Erie Race Track is preparing for the upcoming racing season. Horse people will enjoy several improvements made since last fall, including a full-scale drainage system and new sprinkler system on the turf track. These systems will ensure better control over the turf surface, resulting in safer racing conditions. Improvements have also been made in the backstretch, including new eves troughs on many of the barns, and more fill in the stalls.

At this time, it is unknown if fans will be able to attend live racing as the season begins due to COVID-19, but Fort Erie has been preparing to welcome back fans this season when it is safe to do so. When COVID-19 direction allows for the return of fans, they will see a number of customer-oriented improvements to the venue, including a renovated Prince of Wales dining room, new air conditioning system and roof on the clubhouse, and new paddock fencing. Staff remain busy undertaking many more improvements to the facility, which will be completed throughout the summer. COVID-19 safety tools have also been put in place such as plexiglass dividers and hand sanitation stations to help protect staff and fans.

Fort Erie's season is scheduled to run primarily Mondays and Tuesdays beginning at 1 p.m. from June 1 through to October 26. Twilight racing will run Tuesdays throughout the summer, with a 4 p.m. first race post time.

For more information about the upcoming season, and updates regarding fan attendance on race days, visit www.forterieracing.com.

The post Fort Erie Race Track Adds Two Days To 2021 Racing Calendar appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Ontario Commission Announces Over-The-Counter Cough Remedy Could Be To Blame For Woodbine Capsaicin Positives

On July 20, 2020, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) issued a Notice to Industry concerning a number of horses in Ontario who have received a positive test for capsaicin over the past several weeks. As noted, the AGCO's priority is to conduct a fair and independent investigation to ensure the ongoing safety and integrity of horse racing in Ontario, as well as the health and welfare of equine athletes.

The AGCO Equine Drug Unit's preliminary investigation has revealed a potential source: a product known as ZEV (Lot#190104 Exp:01-2022), an oral product used for the treatment of respiratory conditions – has tested positive for capsaicin and related compounds.

It should be noted that capsaicin is not included in the list of active ingredients for ZEV.

Trainers and owners are advised to always use caution with all products administered to a horse. Not all ingredients which could result in positive tests may be listed on a product, and ZEV may not be the only source of a positive test.

The post Ontario Commission Announces Over-The-Counter Cough Remedy Could Be To Blame For Woodbine Capsaicin Positives appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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