Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch
Gaming Information and Services

 Know your limit, play within it.

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 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:

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