The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of British Columbia (HBPA-BC) issued the following statement today in response to reports that Great Canadian Entertainment intends to discontinue live horse racing operations at Hastings Racecourse following the Province of British Columbia’s decision to terminate the slot-machine revenue stream dedicated to racing, effective January 31, 2026:
Today’s development is deeply distressing. The Province’s abrupt decision to eliminate the long-standing slot-revenue commitment — with only two months’ notice — has destabilized a 133-year-old industry and undermined the financial foundation on which thoroughbred racing in British Columbia has relied for two decades.
“What we are seeing today is the direct and immediate consequence of the Province’s announcement,” said David Milburn, President, HBPA-BC. “Hastings Racecourse has been home to live racing for generations. By removing the revenue structure that made racing viable, the Province has placed workers, owners, breeders, trainers, and agricultural suppliers in an impossible position.”
HBPA-BC emphasized that slot revenue was not a government subsidy, but a structural commitment established when the Province expanded gaming. This commitment ensured that the racing sector would remain viable as casinos and other forms of gambling grew in scale. Its abrupt withdrawal now threatens:
- Multi-year breeding and training investments
- Hundreds of jobs — including many self-employed backstretch workers ineligible for E.I.
- Agricultural and rural businesses such as hay producers, feed suppliers, veterinarians, and transporters
- The stability of equine care and backstretch operations
- Active work to re-establish Standardbred racing in the Southern Interior
- The survival of a sport and cultural institution that has been part of British Columbia for over a century
“This shock extends far beyond Hastings,” Milburn added. “Entire rural economies and supply chains are affected. Families, small businesses, and community partners have been blindsided.”
HBPA-BC reiterated its call for the Province to immediately engage with sector representatives to establish a responsible, fair, and practical solution that protects existing commitments and supports the continuation of live racing in British Columbia.
David Milburn, President HBPA-BC: 604-725-2027
Gary Johnson Horse Racing BC: 778-995-3703
Great Canadian Entertainment’s Wayne Odegard said in a press release:
“This was an extremely difficult decision, especially given the historical legacy of Hastings Racecourse in the local community and its importance to the province’s racing industry,” said Wayne Odegard, regional vice president of Great Canadian Entertainment. “Unfortunately, this is strictly a business decision based on a lack of economic feasibility to move forward with another season of horse racing at Hastings. We are incredibly thankful for our dedicated team members, racing participants and fan base for their support and patronage for so many years.”
Reaction to the news, which came out late on Friday, was harsh and swift from fans, horsepeople and those in the agriculture sector in B.C.
Ian Paton, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Delta South and Shadow Minister for BC Agriculture and Food said on ‘X’:
Unbelievable. The government just caused the shut down of Hastings Racecourse as of 4pm today – a 133-year-old pillar of B.C.’s agricultural and equine community. I’ve asked for a meeting all week and somehow the Minister of Agriculture and the Solicitor General “forget” to invite me to the meeting!
This is a massive hit to the agriculture sector, the breeding industry, local businesses, and THOUSANDS of workers whose livelihoods depend on that track.
Shameful. Historic communities and entire agricultural sectors don’t disappear overnight…they’re erased by governments that think no one will notice. #SaveHastings #bcpoli
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