The 2013 Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming concluded with an interesting and important panel on current legal and policy issues in racing and gaming.
Mike Barry, an attorney with Rutledge Ecenia, P.A., is currently representing the Florida Quarter Horse Association and gave an update on the status of the Gretna barrel racing litigation. Barry said that this issue proves the importance of regulators and racing interests planning for gambling expansion through proper legislation to avoid litigation.
Peter Murray, the head of gaming for GB Group, came from Newcastle, England to speak on the importance of online gaming compliance, working with regulators and protecting players. He gave an overview of the online systems in place in Nevada and New Jersey that have recently begun intrastate online casino gambling and how geo-location works as a regulatory tool.
Sean Pinsonneault, executive VP and COO of the Woodbine Entertainment Group, gave an update on the end of the Slots at Racetracks program in Ontario. The end of the program has cost 9,000 racing jobs and Ontario foals registered are down 60 per cent. Currently there is a five-year plan in place to address purses and dates to give the racing industry some stability.
Jay Hickey, president of the American Horse Council, gave an update on nine bills in Congress that currently pertain to the horse industry involving such topics as race horse depreciation, potential for Federal regulation of race day medication, horse welfare and immigration reform.
The day concluded with two well attended Workshops; race horse aftercare with Madeline Auerbach, chairperson of the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), Stacie Clark-Rogers, manager of the Adena Retirement Program, and Lucinda Mandella, executive director of CARMA.
The second workshop was on event marketing – building an event to grow your racing brand – hosted by Sophia McKee who is the director of Marketing at Emerald Downs.
(RTIP)
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