Page 16 - August/September 2007 The Game

16 The Game, August/September 2007 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
HBPA Ontario Update
HBPAAdministrativeOffices:135Queen’sPlateDrive,Suite370,Toronto,ON,M9W6V1 phone:416-747-5252
If you have read the HBPA of Ontario’s columns over the last year or so, you will notice that we are fascinated with the internet and the recognition that the legal expansion of our product through such medium is critical to the success of our industry. In May we wrote about Professor Shanklin who is a business pro- fessor at the University of Akron who is a strong promoter and advocate of the “Internet Model” rather than the “get the people back to the track” model with regard to our marketing efforts and customer demand focus.
Well here we go again talking about the internet, intellectual property rights, and how this needs to all tie into horseracing by providing the springboard we need to grow our industry in the new millennium.
It was ingrained in me at a young age that studying history was critical because in some weird fashion, history always seems to find a way to repeat itself in
Report from the Executive Director
Internet Gambling Enforcement Act on Internet gambling. Does this sound familiar to our problems here in Canada? Absolutely! Offshore illegal internet wagering on our product without any compensation to our industry! Certainly one of the key factors in reduced revenue trends that are being experienced today in racing without question or debate.
Specifically in the US bill, the findings to the bill note that the number of Americans gambling on the Internet has risen over the last ten years to several million and that Americans account for over half of the billions wagered.
If there is one thing that hits home to us in light of the above is the immediate need to assess the proliferation of internet gambling and the impact that unlawful illegal gambling has on live horseracing. Without a solution here in Canada, our efforts on survival could be in jeopardy. Let’s learn from history.
some type of mystified form. A journey back into time will look at a similarity that occurred many years ago that has relevance to this day from an internet gaming perspective. Not only do we go back in time, we also cross the great Pacific Ocean to the land “down under” to seek our wisdom.
Executive Director Nick Coukos
races on its radio stations. Victoria Park Racing sued both the neighbour and the broadcaster on nuisance and property rights grounds. The Australian high court dismissed the suit in 1937, but the case marked the arrival of an ongoing fight over the rights of sports leagues and teams to control coverage of their events that continues to this day. Seventy years later,
The setting was the
Victoria Park Racing and Recreation Grounds which was a popular racecourse in Sydney, Australia, in the 1930’s. Built in an open fairground, the owners erected a fence around the track to ensure that only ticket buyers could watch the action or place bets on the races. In response, a neighbour built a tower that was used by an Australian broadcaster to peer over the fence and broadcast descriptions of the
the battle has shifted to the internet.
This new battle has now surfaced in the United States with the recent introduction of the Internet Gambling Study Act. The bill quite simply calls for a detailed study by the National Research Council of Sciences of the issues posed by the continued spread and growth of commerce with respect to Internet gambling, as well as the Unlawful
Last Trainer Test for the 2007 Season
The last Trainer and Assistant Trainer Test for 2007 will be held on September 12 at both Woodbine and Fort Erie Racetracks. All applications for testing must be completed and submitted to the HBPA no later than August 29 at 3pm. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
For more information or to obtain your application form contact the HBPA Backstretch Office at Woodbine 416-675-3802 or Fort Erie 905-871-3200, ext. 3249.
Shedrow of the Month
The HBPA and WEG at Woodbine as well as the HBPA and Nordic Gaming at Fort Erie are proud to award “Shedrow of the Month” prizes for trainers and their staff whose stable area best exemplifies a clean and safe work environment during that month. Winners will receive a $200 cheque ($100 from HBPA and $100 from Nordic at Fort Erie and $100 from HBPA and $100 from Woodbine Entertainment Group at Woodbine).
Congratulations to Shedrow of the Month winner for July at Woodbine - Mike Keogh & his crew.
Fort Erie’s Shedrow of the Month for June at Fort Erie was shared between - Frank Johnstone & Dennis Erwin of barn 3A & their crews.
Congratulations to all Shedrow of the Month winners for your ongoing efforts to maintain a safe and clean working environment.
HBPA Boat Cruise August 28
The annual HBPA Boat Cruise will set sail on Tuesday August 28. Tickets are $10 and are available at the HBPA Backstretch Office at Woodbine. Your ticket includes the bus ride to the Toronto dock, lunch, door prizes and a 4 hour cruise.
Be sure to buy your tickets early as this event sells out every year!
HBPA Fort Erie Family Picnic
The HBPA will once again be hosting a Family Picnic for Fort Erie Backstretch Personnel at Sherkston Shores resort. This year’s picnic is scheduled for Thursday, August 9, rain or shine. If you plan on attending, please sign up at the Fort Erie HBPA office before Wednesday, August 8. A current ORC badge must be presented when you sign up. Bus transportation from Fort Erie Racetrack will be provided for your convenience. The bus will leave from the East gate at 12 noon sharp and will leave Sherkston at 4:30pm to return to the track.
Health & Safety at Woodbine
Attention Trainers: Any trainer who was unable to attend their scheduled Health & Safety meeting should ensure that they come to the HBPA track office to pick up the information sheets and CD’s. Trainers and workers interested in signing up for an upcoming First Aid and CPR course should give their names at the HBPA Backstretch Office.
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
Every Tuesday at 1pm - HBPA Trailer Backstretch Woodbine Racetrack
Fort Erie HBPA Owners Appreciation Day July 29, 2007
Michael Burns Photos