Gaming Information and Services

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Horse Racing


Overview

Horse racing in British Columbia is regulated by the Racing Division of the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch. The Branch develops fair and appropriate rules, provides effective management of racing events, and licenses participants in the horse racing industry.

Regulatory staff are located at all operating racetracks in the province. Racing Division headquarters is located in Burnaby.

The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch allocates $1.9 million each year for the regulation of the horse racing industry.



Horse racing registration and licensing

Everyone who works in or provides services to the horse racing industry must be licensed and registered with the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch.

To register and to be licensed as a worker, service provider or owner in the horse racing industry in British Columbia, see the Registration page.



Horse racing rules, policies and penalties

As part of its activities, the Branch develops fair and appropriate rules and policies to help ensure the horse racing industry is conducted and managed fairly and with integrity.

For more information, click the appropriate link below.

Rules:

Policies:

Penalties:



Race tracks and dates

There are six horse race tracks in British Columbia. Five thousand licensed owners, jockeys, drivers, trainers, grooms and exercise persons participate in approximately 200 days of live racing in the province each year. See the table below for details.

City Race track Type Race dates - 2008
Kamloops Sagebrush Downs Thoroughbred May 24
Jun 7, 21
Aug 2, 9, 16
Princeton Sunflower Downs Thoroughbred Jun 27
Sidney Sandown Park Raceway Standardbred Jul 12, 19, 26
Surrey Fraser Downs Racetrack Standardbred Fraser Downs Race Dates pdf file - Acrobat Reader required
Vancouver Hastings Racecourse Thoroughbred Hastings Race Dates pdf file - Acrobat Reader required
Vernon Kin Park Thoroughbred Jul 6, 13, 20, 27

 



Teletheatres

Teletheatre sites across B.C. present simulcast satellite broadcasts of horse races run at local, national and international tracks.



Economic impact

In recent years wagering at race tracks and teletheatres in British Columbia has totalled more than $200 million annually. Of this amount, about 75 per cent is wagered on simulcast races, the other 25 per cent on live racing.

The province's horse racing industry provides British Columbians with 7,500 direct and indirect jobs. The overall economic impact of the industry is estimated to be $350 million per year.

As part of its commitment to stabilize and rejuvenate the horse racing industry in B.C., the Province enhances purses with revenue from slot machines at race tracks. More than
$5 million each year is shared by the thoroughbred and standardbred sectors.



Reports