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 race tracks in the province.
The Racing Division head office 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
To ensure that all who work in or provide services to the horse racing
industry meet high standards of honesty, integrity and financial responsibility,
it is required that they be registered with, and licensed by, the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch.
Registrants are required to submit to a background check, which includes but is not
limited to a criminal record check and a credit check. The registration process must
be successfully completed before a licence can be issued.
The Branch may suspend or cancel registration and/or a licence upon violation of
the respective terms and conditions or horse racing rules and policies.
To apply for registration and a licence, an application form must be submitted along with supporting
documents and a licence fee. Forms, complete instructions and related information are
available at the following links:
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:
- Standardbred Uncoupling of Entries: March 14, 2011
[PDF]
- Breathalyser Testing of Licensees: June 18, 2010
[PDF]
- Scratch Time: April 24, 2010
[PDF]
- Licensee Drug Testing: April 21, 2010
[PDF]
- Standardbred Whipping: September 17, 2009
[PDF]
- Erythropoietin or Darbepoetin Testing: May 12, 2008
[PDF]
- EIPH Program Eligibility for Out-of-Jurisdiction Horses: May 24, 2006
[PDF]
- Shock Wave Therapy: April 26, 2006
[PDF]
- Racehorses shipping-in on race day - Prohibited substances: April 1, 2005
[PDF]
- Retesting Residual from Positive Equine Samples: June 9, 2003
[PDF]
Penalties and reconsiderations:
Race tracks and dates
There are five 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 - 2012 |
| Kamloops |
Sagebrush Downs |
Thoroughbred |
2012 race dates will be posted when available
|
| Princeton |
Sunflower Downs |
Thoroughbred |
2012 race dates will be posted when available |
| Surrey |
Fraser Downs Racetrack |
Standardbred |
Fraser Downs Race Dates
[PDF]
|
| Vancouver |
Hastings Racecourse |
Thoroughbred |
Hastings Race Dates
[PDF] |
| Vernon |
Kin Park |
Thoroughbred |
2012 race dates will be posted when available |
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.
According to a 2008 report, "Size and Scope of Horse Racing in
British Columbia", by IER Pty. Ltd., the province's horse racing industry
provides British Columbians with approximately 3,600 full-time equivalent jobs.
This equates to more than 7,400 individuals who derive an income from
racing in full-time, part-time or casual employment. The report also
estimated the overall economic impact of the industry was more than
$350 million.
Horse racing industry revitalization
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
$6.5 million each year is shared by the thoroughbred and
standardbred sectors.
Learn more about horse racing revitalization on the following page:
Reports
|