May 25, 2013

Posts Comments

OHRIA Welcomes Changes At OLG As Opportunity For New Gaming Strategy To Include HorseRacing

Sue Leslie, President of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA), issued the following statement regarding the departure Paul Godfrey and the OLG Board of Directors:

“Ontario’s horse racing and breeding industry has been reeling since March 2012 when the Government of Ontario announced the cancellation of the Slots at Racetracks Program. Our industry’s concerns were compounded by what we perceived to be process failures on the part of the OLG Board to ensure our industry had a role to play in their modernization plan.

Under Premier Wynne, our industry has seen the start of a number of positive steps, including the government’s announcement that horse racing will become an integrated partner in the government’s future gaming strategy.

We have welcomed these changes, and with the departure of the OLG board that designed the province’s modernization strategy, we believe there is a real opportunity for Premier Wynne to develop a new strategy that engages Ontario’s horse racing and breeding sector, brings communities into the decision making process, and creates an approach to gaming modernization that is more palatable to everyone.

The horse racing industry believes that Premier Wynne has an opportunity to formally pause the OLG’s current modernization process, including the RFPQs underway in Sudbury, Peterborough and Ottawa, to ensure the OLG does not make any decisions regarding gaming zones where racetracks currently exist.

The horse racing and breeding industry is ready to work with the Premier to develop a program that substantially increases government revenues and ensures the sustainability of horse racing and breeding in Ontario.”

Sue Leslie had the opportunity to meet personally with Premier Wynne at the end of April to discuss Ontario’s horse racing and breeding sector, “Premier Wynne’s actions indicate that she will continue to make good on the commitments she made during that meeting to the horse racing and breeding industry in Ontario.”

(OHRIA)

 

Filed Under: Featured, Industry News Tagged With: , , , ,

OHRIA Requests Your Input On An Industry Survey To Determine Impact of Cancellation of SARP

OHRIA is asking horse people to fill out a survey so that it can gather concrete information on the losses the cancellation of  the Slots At Racetracks Program has caused.

The survey has been designed to gather information with which to present an accurate picture of the personal effect the cancellation of SARP has had on the horse racing and breeding industry in Ontario.

While industry participants may be aware of the devastating effects the OLG’s decision to cancel SARP has had on our once vibrant industry, OHRIA is hoping to obtain tangible figures which represent the true economic and social cost the OLG’s decisions have had to our industry.

The survey results will be used to reinforce the economic importance of our industry and provide factual information to demonstrate the level of integration into the Province’s overall gaming strategy that is required for the horse racing and breeding industry.

Your cooperation in completing the survey at this link would be greatly be appreciated:

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Industry News Tagged With: , ,

OHRIA Requests Halt To OLG Modernization Plan, Pending Auditor’s General’s Findings

The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) is calling on Premier Kathleen Wynne to pause the OLG’s modernization process until after the Auditor General releases his report on the decisions surrounding the OLG modernization plan.

Today, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts voted to ask the Auditor General to investigate the OLG’s process in determining the Modernization Plan. The Auditor General has confirmed that an investigation will commence in short order.

“We have had serious concerns with the OLG’s modernization process from the start. The Public Accounts committee’s motion raises significant questions about the Government and OLG’s gaming modernization strategy and called on the Auditor General to investigate. This is a very serious development and one that the Premier must respect,” said Sue Leslie, president of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association.

“The OLG’s modernization process has ravaged our industry. Thousands of people have lost their jobs as a result of this rush to dramatically change gaming in Ontario. We formally ask Premier Wynne to respect that a majority of the legislature has twice in less than a month voted to demonstrate their opposition to the current approach the OLG and government are taking. We urge the Premier to pause OLG Modernization until the Auditor General’s report is public,” Leslie added.

The motion, as adopted, calls on the Auditor General to investigate all aspects of the OLG’s modernization strategy, including the process for tendering, contracting, and planning for all new or proposed casinos; host-city-payment formulas; revenue projections and economic impact assessments; community impacts on mental health and/or addiction matters; effects on the Slots At Racetracks Program; and consultations to determine whether or not casinos are welcome in proposed communities.

(OHRIA)

Filed Under: Featured, Industry News Tagged With: , , ,

Transition Funding Deals Reached With Flamboro, Georgian and Fort Erie; OHRIA Presses For More Long Term Details

On Tuesday, March 26 it was announced by both the Ontario Liberal Party and the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation that transitional funding agreements have been reached which will ensure the continuation of live racing at Flamboro Downs and Georgian Downs beyond March 31, 2013. The Province of Ontario has also announced that it has reached a transitional funding agreement for the Fort Erie Race Track.

Both the Province of Ontario and Great Canadian have issued releases regarding the tentative transition funding agreements, although neither release goes into detail regarding terms of the deals.

There has yet to be a release from the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium (FELRC) regarding a transitional deal. The consortium operates live racing at the historic thoroughbred border oval. It has been reported that the FELRC will be holding a press conference this Thursday (March 28) at 11:00 a.m. to announce its deal.

The Ontario government’s transitional funding announcement is the third of its kind since the Provincial Liberal Party dropped the bombshell in 2012 that it would be terminating the slots-at-racetracks program effective March 31, 2013. The first of the announcements came this past January and pertained to the continuation of live racing at Woodbine Racetrack and Mohawk Racetrack (for expanded coverage of that announcement, click here). The second of the announcements came earlier this month at Grand River Raceway, where it was announced that transitional funding deals had been reached with Grand River Raceway, The Raceway at the Western Fair District, Clinton Raceway and Hanover Raceway. It was also made clear during the Grand River Raceway announcement that horse racing would be incorporated into the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s gaming modernization plan.

The contents of the Province of Ontario’s most recent release on the transitional agreements appear below, followed by the contents of the Great Canadian release. The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association has commented on the deals, and the contents of its release appear below the Great Canadian release.

Trot Insider will update this story if the FELRC issues a press release on the situation.

(Standardbred Canada)

Three More Race Tracks Sign Funding Agreements

Ontario Government Committed to Sustainable Horse Racing Industry

The new Ontario government has reached tentative transition funding agreements with Georgian Downs, Flamboro Downs and Fort Erie Race Track — the latest step in ensuring race dates for the 2013 season.

They join six other race tracks that have also reached agreements-in-principle for transition funding. Western Fair, Clinton, Hanover and Elora also signed agreements-in-principle with the province earlier this month, while Woodbine and Mohawk race tracks signed on Jan. 23, 2013.

The new Ontario government will continue to negotiate agreements with other interested race tracks to provide transition funding for the next three years in order to ensure a strong future for horse racing in the province.

QUICK FACTS

  • Georgian Downs and Flamboro Downs are operated by Great Canadian Gaming Corporation.
  • The Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel, made up of former cabinet ministers Elmer Buchanan, John Snobelen and John Wilkinson, released its final report on Oct. 23, 2012.
  • Up to $30 million will be available for the Horse Improvement Program in 2013. The Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel, the Ontario Racing Commission and members of the province’s world class breeding industry are discussing the allocation of these funds.
  • The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has reached commercial lease agreements-in-principle with all 14 race tracks in the province that host slots facilities.

QUOTES

Kathleen Wynne (Premier and Minister of Agriculture and Food): “Ontario’s horse racing and breeding industries are an important part of a healthy economy in Ontario. We will continue to work in consultation with the industry partners for the long-term good of the industry and the province.”

Howard Blank (Vice President Communications for Great Canadian Gaming Corporation): “Today’s announcement is good news for the future of horse racing in Ontario. We are pleased to be able to welcome live horseracing fans to our properties this season.”

(Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food)

Great Canadian Gaming Reaches Agreements in Principle for Transition Funding for Horse Racing at Georgian Downs and Flamboro Downs

Great Canadian Gaming Corporation today announced that it has signed agreements in principle with the Government of Ontario for transition funding.  This funding will provide support to continue horse racing at the company’s Georgian Downs and Flamboro Downs racetracks beyond March 31, 2013 as Ontario’s horse racing industry adapts to a more sustainable model.

The letters of intent set out the key terms for transitional funding and the expected number of race days, which will form the basis for formal transfer payment agreements. Once completed, the formal agreements will be subject to approval by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

“Today’s announcement is good news for the future of horse racing in Ontario,” stated Mr. Howard Blank, Great Canadian’s Vice President of Communications, Entertainment and Responsible Gaming.  “We are pleased to be able to welcome live horse racing fans to our properties.”

“Ontario’s horse racing and breeding industries are an important part of a healthy economy in Ontario,” stated Ms. Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Agriculture and Food for the Province of Ontario.  “We will continue to work in consultation with the industry partners for the long-term good of the industry and the province.”

Once formal transfer payment agreements have been signed with the Government of Ontario and once definitive lease agreements for the Ontario properties have been signed with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the Company will need to re-evaluate its assumptions used in the recent long-lived asset impairment tests for these properties. Based on the terms of the letters of intent for the transfer payment agreements (along with the letters of intent for the lease agreements), we continue to expect the company’s Ontario properties’ EBITDAs will decline as compared to the levels realized in 2012.  However, the company expects that it may need to record long-lived asset impairment reversals for Georgian Downs and Flamboro Downs.

(Great Canadian)

OHRIA: Deals for Fort Erie and Great Canadian Gaming but Long Term Integration Still Needed

The highly successful Slots at Racetracks Program ends in one week, and while OHRIA is pleased with deals for racing at three more Ontario race tracks, the industry association is still pushing for financial details from government on the promised long-term integration strategy.

In a press-release earlier today, Premier Kathleen Wynne, announced that a deal has been made between OMAFRA’s Transition Panel and Great Canadian Gaming, owners of Flamboro Downs and Georgian Downs race tracks, as well as with the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium, who operates Fort Erie Race Track.  The deals will allow all three tracks to host racing in 2013.

“While we are happy with the announcement that there will be racing at three more racetracks in 2013, OHRIA is continuing to stress the importance of details of the long-term integration strategy,” commented Sue Leslie, President of OHRIA. “Without knowing the financial returns long-term, breeders and owners will continue to resist investment if they cannot see a viable future for the industry.”

Earlier this month, Kathleen Wynne, speaking in her role as Minister of Agriculture, announced in a press conference at Grand River Raceway that horse racing will be integrated into the Province’s gaming strategy. This announcement did little to quell the fears of investors as financial details and timelines were not provided along with the announcement and have yet to be revealed.

“We need to know financial details for the long-term which is why we are asking Premier Wynne to extend the existing Slots at Racetracks Program until a strategy going forward can be formulated,” stressed Leslie. “We understand the need for our industry to evolve, and to provide good public policy for the government, however our industry will not survive on short-term promises.  We need the details of a commitment now.”

(OHRIA)

Filed Under: Featured, Industry News Tagged With: , , , , ,

OHRIA Welcomes NDP Motion To Support Horse Racing

Today (Friday, March 15) the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association was pleased to hear NDP MPP Taras Natyshak’s announcement regarding his party’s plan to introduce a motion calling on the suspension of the OLG’s modernization strategy until municipalities have held referendums in conjunction with the 2014 municipal elections, and the re-instatement of the Slots at Racetracks Program.

“Time is running out for our industry. We need action now. If our elected officials do not act soon to ensure there is sufficient funding for horse racing through revenue sharing arrangements, horse racing in Ontario won’t survive.” Said Sue Leslie, President of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association.

“The current government does not believe the Slots at Racetracks Program is the best way to go forward, and is prepared to allow our industry to shrink by thousands of jobs during this difficult economic time. By ending SARP so abruptly and forcing racetrack operators into short term leases that do not require live horse racing, we are dooming any future investment and by extension our industry itself.”Leslie added.

“We enthusiastically welcome the NDP’s motion and call on all MPPs to support it, because it recognizes the urgent need to shore up the Ontario horse racing and breeding industry with sufficient funding now, so that we can survive to be integrated into the gaming strategy longer term.”

The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association continues to work with all parties to ensure our industry remains a top priority during the legislative session and budget deliberations.

 

Filed Under: Featured, Industry News Tagged With: , , ,

OHRIA Encouraged By New Direction From Premier Wynne To Integrate Racing With OLG Gaming Strategy

OHRIA issued the following statement following Premier Wynne’s horse racing press conference on March 8th:

With less than a month remaining before the industry’s share of revenue from the Slots at Racetracks Program ends, OHRIA ‘s continuing efforts to engage the Premier and the government have resulted in a major policy change regarding the Horse Racing and Breeding Industry in Ontario.

In a press-conference earlier today, Premier Kathleen Wynne, speaking in her role of Minister of Agriculture and Food, announced that the Horse Racing and Breeding Industry will be integrated into the provincial gaming strategy to ensure future revenue streams for race tracks to continue to operate racing.

In a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Minister Wynne stated, “We continue to work with other tracks while we work with the sector on a new market-driven model that works for the industry and is good public policy.”

Being integrated into the gaming strategy provides the industry with a chance to work with government to ensure a vibrant horse racing and breeding industry.

“There is still a long road ahead of us,” cautioned Sue Leslie, President of OHRIA, “However we now have the opportunity to plan a more sustainable future for the horse racing and breeding industry working in partnership with the government instead of competing against the Province’s other gaming products.”

Minister Wynne stressed that consultation with the horse racing and breeding industry, represented by OHRIA, continue with the government appointed Horse Racing Transition Panel.  “We need the process of integration to begin as soon as possible if we have any chance of future survival for the industry.” stressed Sue Leslie, stating that the OHRIA Board has conveyed the importance of action and not just words. “It is breeding season again and we must instill confidence for breeders and owners by proving that breeding and racing in Ontario is a secure investment.”

The OHRIA Board understands that the livelihoods of many in the industry will depend on the outcome of this latest development.  “We are all hurting from the actions of this government,” commented Ms Leslie, “The lives of thousands of hard-working individuals and families have been turned upside down.  With all that this industry has been through the past year, it is understandably difficult to trust that these latest developments are going to yield the desired results.  However we view this as an important and positive step and we must continue to work with our current government to achieve a more sustainable future for our industry.”

Filed Under: Featured, Industry News Tagged With: , , ,

Wynne Press Conference On March 8 Is A Media-Only Event, OHRIA Stresses To Horse People

OHRIA is asking industry participants NOT to attend or attempt to disrupt the important press conference Premier Wynne has called for Friday, March 8. Any such actions would be against the industry’s best interests.

Please read the complete OHRIA news release by clicking here.

Filed Under: Featured, Industry News Tagged With: , ,

OHRIA Calls for Aggression Should Government Negotiations Fail To Provide A Better Plan For Sustainability

With only one month remaining before the industry’s share of revenue from the Slots at Racetracks Program ends, OHRIA is asking all industry participants to remain united in our strategy and messaging with Government.

With only weeks remaining, it is more important than ever for the industry to remain strong together and to remain united.  This is not the time, yet, for radical thinking.

OHRIA is cautiously optimistic that Premier Kathleen Wynne is reviewing the current plan with the intention to provide the horse racing and breeding industry with a better, more sustainable plan for the future.

However, OHRIA is asking the industry to be on the ready should we need you to stand up for our industry if these current negotiations fail to bring the results our industry needs to survive.

The OHRIA Board of Directors, in a meeting last week, approved an aggressive campaign and agreed that funds must be raised to implement it. These funds have been received and continue to flow in.

OHRIA continues to fight for the entire horse racing and breeding industry and we need the industry ready to stand up should our latest negotiations with government not yield results.

(OHRIA)

Filed Under: Featured, Industry News Tagged With: , ,

OHRIA Asks Ontario Municipalities For Support Against OLG’s Gaming Plans At Upcoming Conference

OHRIA has sent a letter to all Ontario mayors requesting their support for the horse racing industry as it battles the OLG’s unpopular modernization strategy.

The letter from Sue Leslie is available by clicking here.

Filed Under: Featured, Industry News Tagged With: , , ,

Snobelen Provides OMAFRA Update, Sue Leslie of OHRIA Says Time’s Running Out

OMAFRA Transition Panel member John Snobelen provided an update on negotiations between the government and the racing industry in a  recent audio interview with Norm Borg.

Sue Leslie of OHRIA also spoke with Borg and expressed her opinion that we are getting very close to losing our industry.

Both interviews can be heard in their entirety when you Click Here.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Industry News Tagged With: , , ,
«Older Posts