This morning Trot Insider spoke with Jane Holmes of the Woodbine Entertainment Group in regard to the recent push by Canadian racetracks, associations and the Ontario Government for legalized Las Vegas-style sports wagering.

The push is for legalized, single-game wagering on sporting events to be passed for Ontario casinos and racetracks. A report yesterday in the Toronto Star stated that the Ontario and Federal Governments are moving toward allowing sports betting at in Ontario casinos.

"Along with the push by the Ontario Government, a group consisting of the Woodbine Entertainment Group, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, Attractions Hippiques and Horse Racing Alberta have come together to lobby the Federal Government," Holmes, WEG vice president, Corporate Affairs, told Trot Insider.

The group of horse racing entities has retained the services of consulting firm The Summa Group to assist in the lobbying efforts.

For the past handful of years, officials from the Woodbine Entertainment Group have pleaded with the Government to deal with the illegal online wagering explosion which has seen up to $200 million a year in racing handle funneled offshore.

"Woodbine Entertainment simply wants a level playing field -- it is indisputable that the status quo is just not working," said Holmes. "Woodbine Entertainment either wants the laws on the books enforced or legislation to be passed which would allow us to compete."

Wagering at tracks throughout the province of Ontario has been on a downward trend -- in many cases an alarming trend. The same goes for many of the casinos within Ontario.

The push for the legalization of sports betting is coming from both the private and public sector, both of which contribute massive amounts of capital to municipalities and various different areas of social infrastructure, not to mention high levels of employment.