2002 - Harness Tracks of America, Inc.

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA
Executive Newsletter
A daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyond
Stanley F. Bergstein, Editor
CHANGE TO IHA PROPOSED
Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) has introduced
legislation that would fundamentally alter
the Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA). The bill,
entitled the “Live Horseracing Protection Act of
2002,” would amend the IHA to require an additional
consent, that of the “off-track horsemen’s
group,” under the federal law before an interstate
off-track wager could be accepted. The new consent
would be in addition to those of the host
horsemen’s group, the host racing commission and
the off-track racing commission which are currently
required under the IHA. The bill defines the “offtrack
horsemen’s group” to mean: “The breedspecific
group representing the majority of owners
and trainers in an offtrack State that corresponds
to the breed of horse in the races subject
to the interstate off-track wager on any racing
day.” The proposed legislation also makes the offtrack
horsemen’s group eligible for damages for
violations of the IHA and adds them to the group
that may bring a civil action for violations. Congressman
Pallone did not offer any introductory
remarks explaining the purpose of the legislation.
The bill has been referred to the House Commerce
Committee. For a copy of the bill visit the HTA
Web site at www.harnesstracks.com or call the HTA
offices at 520-529-2525.
SENECAS APPROVE CASINOS
The Seneca Nation of Indians on Tuesday voted
“yes” to casinos in western New York by a margin
of 101 votes. The vote was 1,077 in favor and 976
against signing the casino compact with New York
state. The compact will allow the Senecas to operate
up to three casinos in western New York. Seneca
President Cyrus Schindler said the tribal council
will move quickly to finalize the 14-year
compact with Gov. George Pataki and the
U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.
May 15, 2002
AGA NOW BACKS NET BAN
The casino gaming industry’s chief lobbying group
abruptly switched course Tuesday and endorsed
Rep. Bob Goodlatte’s bill to prohibit Internet gambling,
according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American
Gaming Association, said the group will support
the ban because of two changes the congressman
made at the AGA’s request. “Fundamentally, he
has met all our concerns,” Fahrenkopf said. The
most significant change to the legislation addresses
the AGA’s concern that Goodlatte’s bill would infringe
on state regulation of gambling. Under the
revised version, if a state ever legalizes Internet
gambling, it would be allowed to take bets over
the Web from residents in other states that also
permit online wagering. The other change would
allow Nevada sports books to continue common
pooling bets on horse races in other states. Without
that revision, Fahrenkopf said, casinos would
be at a disadvantage to the horse racing industry,
which has an exemption from the Goodlatte bill.
“Candidly, we prepared the (revised) language on
common pool wagering,” Fahrenkopf said. “On the
states’ rights issue, we think each state should have
the right to determine what goes on within its borders.”
FELONY COUNTS IN KANSAS
Richard J. Boushka, former co-owner of The
Woodlands racetrack in Kansas, has been indicted
in Wichita on 61 felony counts, many of which allege
he falsified loan documents. Boushka was an
original partner in The Woodlands, owning 40 percent
of the track from the time it was built until
1994. An audit released in 1995 showed that during
the years he was a partner, Boushka made
more than $12 million in salary, consulting fees,
Woodlands stock dividends and Hollywood Park
stock holdings.