A strong representation of harness racing industry participants ranging from track owners, horsepeople, industry officials and fans attended Monday’s Horse Racing Innovation Summit at Flamboro Downs.
The event, which was co-sponsored by the Ontario Racing Commission and the Ontario Ministries of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs, focused on exchanging ideas on what the Ontario racing industry can do in the next few years to better understand the racing customer, grow revenues, attract fans and decrease costs.
Several speakers - including members of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation - discussed a number of topics including discussing strategies to optimize and grow market revenues in addition to increasing wagering and the industry’s fan base.
The OLG touched on fixed betting and exchanges in Great Britain, Australia’s random lottery system and distribution and the revitalized racing industry in Hong Kong and their focus on technology and modernization.
Horseplayer Eric Poteck, who feels horseplayers’ needs have been ignored, talked about the need for fairness, transparency and integrity for the horseplayer.
"I'm very excited about an industry makeover," said Poteck. “If you cater to the horseplayer, horse racing will prosper.”
OMAFRA horse racing transition panelist John Snobelen touched on turning possibilities into opportunities, and following that an action plan can be developed. He also discussed being excited about the work being done putting together an alliance of standardbred tracks.