Gaming Information and Services

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:

• Rules of Thoroughbred and Standardbred Horse Racing in British Columbia
• Gaming Control Regulations

Policies:

• Licensee Drug Testing: Revised January 10, 2007
• Erythropoietin or Darbepoetin Testing: Revised May 12, 2008
• EIPH Program Eligibility for Out-of-Jurisdiction Horses: May 24, 2006
• Shock Wave Therapy: April 26, 2006
• Racehorses shipping-in on race day: Prohibited substances: April 1, 2005
• Breathalyser Testing of Licensees: Revised April 1, 2005
• Retesting Residual from Positive Equine Samples: June 9, 2003
• Whipping: March 25, 2003

Penalties:

• Penalty Guidelines for Thoroughbred Horse Racing Licensee Violations

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
Vancouver	Hastings Racecourse	Thoroughbred	Hastings Race Dates
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.

• Teletheatre Locations
• Establishing, Relocating, or Substantially Changing a Teletheatre

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

• 2008 Summary of Judges and Stewards Rulings and Reconsiderations
• 2007 Summary of Judges and Stewards Rulings and Reconsiderations
  
  
• 2007 Race Track and Teletheatre Reviews
• 2006 Race Track and Teletheatre Reviews
  
  
• George Morfitt's Report on the Organization and Operation of Horse Racing in B.C.
  Status report updated December 4, 2006