It has been reported that the 140 video lottery terminals which are currently in operation at Assiniboia Downs in Manitoba could go ‘dark’ effective Monday, February 3.
The Winnipeg Sun has reported that the provincial government is currently conducting negotiations with the Manitoba Jockey Club in an effort to keep the machines running beyond Monday.
The impasse is looming because legislation that calls for the cancellation of Assiniboia’s VLT licence is scheduled to come into effect on Monday. The Winnipeg Sun article explains that a new VLT revenue agreement that the Manitoba Government presented to the MJC – which operates racing at Assiniboia Downs – has been rejected.
The report states that the MJC is looking for a court injunction which would stop the provincial government from cancelling the existing VLT agreement.
The article goes on to explain that, via letter, the Manitoba Lotteries Corp. has informed the MJC that if the VLTs are in operation next week it would signal that the jockey club is in acceptance of the new revenue split that the MJC does not want to agree to.
(With files from the Winnipeg Sun)