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Canadian Sports Betting Bill: Woodbine Supports Exclusion Of Racing From Fixed Odds Wagering

In response to the federal government introducing a bill that proposes to legalize single event sports wagering in Canada, Woodbine Entertainment would like to congratulate the government of Canada for considering the potential impacts to the horse racing industry.

While the proposed bill to amend the Criminal Code would permit single event sports betting on most sports, Woodbine Entertainment is pleased that under the new proposed legislation, fixed odds wagering will not be permitted on horse racing.

“On behalf of the entire horse racing industry and the more than 50,000 jobs it represents throughout Canada, I would like to congratulate the government of Canada and Minister Lametti for clearly considering the interests of horse racing as related to the potential legalization of single event sports wagering,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment.

“We look forward to continuing to represent the views of the horse racing industry throughout the legislative process in the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada to ensure that our role continues to be supported and strengthened where possible,” said Lawson. “This includes collaborating with the federal and provincial government in future discussions regarding the impacts sports betting may have on horse racing while looking to enhance opportunities that would benefit the industry and the tens of thousands of people it employs.”

Woodbine Entertainment also offered its support for the legalization of fixed odds single event sports betting so long as it is provided an opportunity to be involved in a meaningful way.

“For many decades, Woodbine Entertainment has legally operated single event wagering through a pari-mutuel model, earning the trust of bettors and government agencies, while developing safe and secure technologies that could also benefit single event sports wagering,” said Lawson. “Throughout our future discussions with government authorities, we look forward to demonstrating how we can play a meaningful role in the execution of the legalization of sports betting that leverages our industry-leading experience and technology in single event wagering, while also offering a solution that would ensure any profits derived from sports betting remain in our economy.”

Operating without share capital, Woodbine Entertainment's sole mission as an organization is to sustain the Ontario horse racing industry and the tens of thousands of jobs it supports.

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Woodbine Officials Set Thursday 6 P.M. Deadline For Government Talks On Racing Resumption

Woodbine Entertainment provided the following update on the 2020 Thoroughbred meet:

We are continuing our efforts to gain approval from the Government of Ontario to safely complete the 2020 Thoroughbred meet.

Based on the timing of these ongoing efforts, live racing on Saturday, November 28, has been cancelled.

Should Government permit us to safely resume live racing, Sunday, November 29, would be the earliest date. The Race Office would open on Friday, November 27 at 6 a.m. for entries.

Furthermore, if Woodbine Entertainment is permitted to complete the 2020 Thoroughbred meet, it will endeavor to reschedule the cancelled races.

Woodbine Entertainment has committed to make a final decision on the status of the season by 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 26. We sincerely appreciate the patience from our community.

As per the Grey (Lockdown) phase of the Government's COVID-19 restrictions which went into effect on Monday, November 23, at 12:01 a.m., the stabling and training of horses is permitted at Woodbine Racetrack, but live horse racing is not.

Since being permitted to race without spectators in early June, Woodbine Entertainment has demonstrated that live racing poses no greater health risk to participants than training. Furthermore, it believes it has clearly demonstrated an ability to safely operate live racing without spectators during that time.

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British Broadcaster Calls For More Diversity In Racing, Experiences Pushback From The Industry

As discussions about diversity in sport continue to grow, the Racing Post reports that British broadcaster Rishi Persad has found himself the target of criticism for encouraging racing to do more. Persad gave an interview to friend and fellow broadcaster Josh Apiafi on Sky Sports Racing where he suggested diversity in British racing could be improved.

Persad, who came to England as a teenager from Trinidad, recounted experiences both positive and less positive from his time in racing. He told the Racing Post he felt his interview on Sky Sports wasn't particularly controversial, nor was it intended to be so. Persad is a member of the Diversity in Racing Steering Group, which was formed in 2017. In the Sky Sports interview, Persad characterized racing as “behind the times,” pointing out that while the majority of stable staff in Britain are people of color, “99.9 percent of trainers” are white.

Persad told the Post this week he subsequently experienced pushback from people in the racing industry who seemed to misunderstand his point.

“What I was really trying to say was, if we eliminate all discrimination and make the sport more accessible, we're going to provide two things,” he said. “The moral case is for our own wellbeing, in that we can all benefit from being kinder to each other, and the business case is pretty obvious – the more people we can attract to the sport the more money we can bring into the sport and the more people in the sport will benefit from it. What's bad about that?”

He also emphasized that his interest is not only in improving racial equality in the sport, but also discrimination on the basis of gender and sexual orientation.

Judge Finds In Favor Of Kentucky Tracks, Commission In Lasix-Focused Civil Case

A judge in Kentucky has denied a motion for summary judgement by the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (KHBPA) and granted a motion for summary judgement by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), Keeneland, and Churchill Downs in a civil case focusing on furosemide administration. Franklin Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate entered his order Nov. 18 after both sides had requested he find in their favor.

Earlier this year, the KHBPA had brought suit against the KHRC and racetracks because it argued the tracks inappropriately created a house rule mirroring proposed changes to state regulation beginning a partial furosemide phaseout in the state. This year was set to be the first time Lasix administration would be pushed back to 24 hours pre-race for all 2-year-olds, but a new rule reflecting this had not completed the regulatory process before the first juvenile races of the year were carded. Churchill and Keeneland wrote race conditions reflecting the impending rule change, which the KHBPA said was beyond the scope of their authority. Moreover, it had argued, the KHRC should not have allowed the tracks to make rules regarding medication. The commission and tracks cited rule language they believed did give them that authority.

After rule language reflecting the 24-hour Lasix administration in 2-year-olds went into effect in August, Wingate ruled, the question became moot.

“The Court must again begin this Order by stating that it is not concerned with any scientific or humanitarian argument in favor of or against the use of Lasix in horses,” Wingate's order read. “This zealously debated topic is not the issue before the Court. Instead, the Court is merely addressing a legal challenge brought by the KHBPA regarding what it alleges is an improper delegation of statutory authority to associations, such as Keeneland and Churchill, by the KHRC.”

The KHBPA had also challenged plans to push back pre-race furosemide administration in stakes races in 2021. Wingate indicated any claims about the legality of that action were not yet “ripe” since stakes races for older horses have not yet been carded under these circumstances.

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