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Report on Ontario Racing Industry

June 28, 2008

A panel of gaming experts has provided an 80- page report, recommending several changes to the Ontario horse racing industry. The “Sadinsky Report,” formerly titled “It’s All About Leadership,” was initiated by former head of Ontario Lottery and Gaming Stanley Sadinsky.

It has outlined suggestions for all aspects of the horse racing industry in Ontario, which generates revenue from three sources: wagering on horse races, the sale of Ontario- bred racehorses, and slot revenue.

Ten years ago, the slot program was designed to allow the racing industry to “invest in its future by growing its wagering and breeding sectors,” said the report.

With the availability of slots at racing venues, visitors have more options as to where they might want to gamble. According to the report, this is a reason why “the horse racing and breeding industry requires a strategic vision and direction for the future.”

There are 11 recommendations attached to the report. One is that the provincial government should establish a gaming secretariat to “develop and implement a comprehensive gaming strategy for the province that includes the horse racing and breeding industry.”

A second recommendation is that the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) be reconstituted as a corporation to be known as Horse Racing Ontario (HRO). In this recommendation, it is suggested that a board of directors then be formed with one senior official from the Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG), along with a handful of other positions to be filled.

In the report there is also mention of the proposed $300 million development at the Fort Erie Racetrack. It supports the project, if it is determined to be economically feasible once all the studies have been completed.

Although the report is not directed at the proposed development, it is said in the report it will have a positive impact on the horse racing industry in Fort Erie.

“If diversification at the Fort Erie Racetrack leads to stability of the racing enterprise, that will surely inure to the benefit of horse racing,” said the report.

Stephen Ayers, ownership representative for Nordic Gaming said the report has been received with a positive outlook, and that the recommendations made by Sadinsky and his panel of experts will be considered in detail.

But Nortdic Gaming isn’t going to rush a decision, or response to the report beacuse it needs to be thoroughly examined from every angle.

“It has to be looked at a lot deeper, before we go any further,” said Ayers. He said the provincial government’s input into horse racing industry is very important.

“We’re ongoing in negotiations with the government, and we appreciate the positive comments the Sadinsky panel report makes,” said Ayers.

He was unable to comment whether Nordic Gaming would be putting any of the specific recommendations to use at this time, but the suggestions made are being taken graciously.

“It has a lot of good ideas,” said Ayers.