HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICAExecutive NewsletterA daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyondStanley F. Bergstein, EditorTuesday, July 20, 2010OHIO TRACK SLOTS PROGRESSThe Ohio Lottery Commission took animportant step yesterday, voting unanimouslyto obtain a declaratory judgmentfrom a state court giving it powerto approve slots at the state’s seven trackswithout further action by voters or thelegislature. Lottery commission leadersalso are working on rules, including24-hour-a-day operation, 7 days a week,year-round, with a minimum age requirementof 21.NO ACCORD YET IN BOSTONTrack slots remain in the news in Massachusetts,where a state Senate and Houseconference committee has been unableto agree after almost two weeks of deliberations.The six-member panel hopes toreach accord before the close of the currentlegislative session at the end of thismonth. The governor and president ofthe Senate still oppose slots at tracks, butHouse Speaker Robert DeLeo adamantlyrefuses to yield on the issue. He toldnewsmen after a meeting yesterday withGov. Deval Patrick, “At least we’re talking.When people stop talking and thedialogue stops, then that’s probably thedeath of legislation.” He was not surethat a compromise can be reached by theJuly 31 deadline, saying, “It remains to beseen.” Senate President Therese Murray,who attended the meeting with DeLeoand addressed the press with him,said merely, “We’re working.”ONLINE BETS BEGIN, CRASHThe long awaited debut of legal onlinegambling got underway in British Columbia,with interesting safeguards in place,and with an enthusiastic initial surge thatquickly overwhelmed the system’s computerservers and forced a temporarycessation of activity. When repairs aremade, the province’s lottery corporationwill be offering legal online betting includingblackjack, roulette, craps, and sportsbetting. Poker is scheduled to be addedin the fall. Social Development MinisterRich Coleman, saying there are currently2,000 unregulated Web sites available inthe province with no accountability to thegovernment, added, “by offering a secureand regulated site we keep some of thoserevenues in British Columbia.” Revenuesfrom online gaming, the first such legaloperation in Canada and, according toCTV News, the first in North America,will be used to fund infrastructure, healthcare and higher education.In the U.S. capital, meanwhile, BarneyFrank’s House Financial Services Committeeis scheduled to meet tomorrow forfurther debate on HR2267, which wouldamend the U.S. code to provide for licensingof internet wagering by the Secretaryof the Treasury.The Paulick Report says the Kentuckyracing commission will pass amendmentstoday allowing instant betting machinesat Kentucky tracks.