NDP Labour Critic and Essex MPP Taras Natyshak says looming layoffs at Woodbine and Mohawk racetracks demonstrate how inadequate government transition plans were following the end of the Slots At Racetracks Program. “Once again, we’re reminded just how short sighted the SARP cancellation really was,” said Natyshak. “By pulling the rug out from under the […]
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Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) has announced a significant restructuring of its operating model. While the company recently announced new transitional agreements with the Ontario government and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), the revenue from those agreements will be significantly less than WEG earned through the Slots-at-Racetracks partnership. As a result, WEG has had […]
When the government announced the end of the Slots-At-Racetracks program they noted it was part of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s Modernization Strategy. Part of that strategy includes the OLG’s Charitable Bingo and Gaming Revitalization Initiative which they note includes “new products and technologies – like electronic bingo and other games – to invigorate […]
Up to 338 acres in Fort Erie, Ontario, 100 acres of which used to be Fort Erie Race Track is for sale
The Ontario Equestrian Federation has issued a thank you letter to MPP Lisa MacLeod, on behalf of Ontario’s equine community, for calling on the Auditor General to review the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s plans and its impact on the horse racing industry. Read the letter here.
Supporters of the Ontario horse racing industry are encouraged to attend a rally on August 30th led by Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod at Queen’s Park in Toronto. MPP MacLeod has strongly opposed the elimination of the slots at racetracks program and has spoken out passionately in support of the horse racing industry and rural Ontario, […]
With the demise of the slots at racetracks program, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) announced their “Modernization Strategy” for gaming in the province. Their goal is to bring gaming and entertainment together on a larger scale at multiple locations to boost revenue. As such, they have begun a Request For Proposal process to […]
Since the Ontario government’s announcement regarding the termination of the Slots At Racetracks (SAR) Program I have been in personal contact with many of our members and would like to thank those of whom I have spoken with for expressing your views and for your support during these challenging times. For the past three months […]
In June, RacingFuture.com sent an open letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty regarding the end of the slots-at-racetracks program – https://canadianthoroughbred.com/horse-news/racingfuture-com-sends-open-letter-to-premier/ Read the Premier’s response here.
Open Letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty from RacingFuture.com Dear Premier McGuinty, Your government has announced that it will pull its slot machines from Ontario race tracks, abruptly canceling a 14-year partnership that has been helping our province’s horse breeding and racing industry to make the transition from the 20th Century to the 21st. I am […]
In a speech to launch the 153rd running of the Queen’s Plate, Nick Eaves, President and CEO of Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) announced that this may be the last year for this iconic Canadian horse race. The Queen’s Plate is the oldest annual sporting event in Canada. “Earlier this year the Ontario Government made the […]
The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) was granted deputation in front of Ontario’s Standing Committee of Finance and Economic Affairs on June 6th, where they presented a submission, which is available here. The charts contained on pages 6- 8 peaked the interest of the committee. The charts indicate that the Slots at Racetracks Program […]
Many may have already heard that 2012 will be the final season of racing at Fort Erie Racetrack. The Board of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium (FELRC) of which the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA) is a member has worked diligently to reinvigorate the racetrack since taking over management of it […]
The Liberal government has announced the establishment of a $50-million fund which will serve to help the Ontario racing industry transition from the profit sharing slots at racetracks program to self-sufficient, sustainable business model, over the next three years. In cooperation with OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs), the government has formed […]
In light of the government’s announcement to terminate the existing Slots at Racetracks Program, the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) has struck a Task Force to develop a plan and enter into a dialogue with government that will result in a viable and successful horse racing and breeding industry in Ontario. The Task Force […]
