The head of The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) is calling on harness racing participants to voice concerns over proposed legislation that would be detrimental to the state's horse racing industry.
Rich Gillock, MSOA President, penned the following letter posted to the MSOA website on Monday. According to Gillock, the proposed changes would allow for expanded gaming "practically everywhere" and also allow internet gaming at a much lower tax rate.
"As you know, casino gaming in Pennsylvania could only be enacted when the state partnered with the agricultural community to ensure the horse racing industry stayed intact," noted Gillock. "The law worked. Today, our industry has created 23,000 jobs, features some of the best horses in the world, is investing millions into the Pennsylvania economy, and is helping to preserve thousands of acres of open farmland."
The full letter from Gillock appears below.
Dear MSOA Members,
State legislators in Harrisburg are trying to amend the Gaming Act with a bevy of gambling expansion ideas that would drive people away from horse racing facilities.
We need your help! Make your voice heard! Please find your legislator on the site below and call your Representative and Senator to voice your opposition to expanded gaming. (Click Here for MSOA Members Letter to Reps)
The letter makes it clear that expanded gaming is bad judgement – and that it will hurt a growing horse racing industry that has created 23,000 jobs and invests millions into local communities and farms every year!
If you don’t know who your legislators are, you can find them: HERE
For more information, here is a link to the legislation: CLICK HERE
As you know, casino gaming in Pennsylvania could only be enacted when the state partnered with the agricultural community to ensure the horse racing industry stayed intact. It’s a partnership that aimed to preserve our farms, our workers, our veterinarians and all facets of the industry that support our racetracks. The law worked. Today, our industry has created 23,000 jobs, features some of the best horses in the world, is investing millions into the Pennsylvania economy, and is helping to preserve thousands of acres of open farmland.
But if some legislators have their way, they’ll expand gaming practically everywhere to include liquor establishments, fire halls, truck stops, video gaming terminals in taverns and more. There’s even a plan to allow for internet gaming at a much lower tax rate. That means casinos with racetracks are more likely to market internet gaming at the expense of our racetracks!
We must act now! Contact your local legislators today and tell them to oppose legislation that would expand gaming and hurt Pennsylvania’s horse racing industry.
Let’s stand together.
Sincerely,
Rich Gillock, President