PA Gaming Control Board Supports Efforts to Improve Horse Health and Welfare

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HARRISBURG, Pa., May 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board this week approved a resolution which supports efforts to invest in horse health and welfare.

Commissioner Gary Sojka introduced the resolution and encouraged its passage as a way of showing the Board's support for equine health as a result of recent high-profile catastrophic injuries to thoroughbred racehorses.

"Pennsylvania's horse racing industry has made tremendous progress since the introduction of slots gaming," Sojka said. "With the passage of this resolution, the Gaming Control Board has pledged its commitment to work with industry stakeholders to help prevent life-threatening injuries to our equine athletes and to ensure the long-term success of racing."

The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004 is delivering on its promise of strengthening the Commonwealth's horse and harness racing industries. To date, slot machine gaming has generated more than $190 million for purses, breeder and sire stakes awards and health and pension benefits for horsemen, their families and employees.

The PGCB's Office of Racetrack Gaming worked closely with the Department of Agriculture and the Horse and Harness Racing Commissions to develop the resolution. A representative from the horse racing industry will attend an upcoming Board meeting to discuss equine health.

"Pennsylvania is fortunate to have world-class veterinarians, researchers and research facilities dedicated to equine health and safety," said Sojka. "The Board will continue to work with the horse racing industry to keepPennsylvania at the forefront of equine health and safety issues."

Pennsylvania is home to three thoroughbred racetracks - Penn National inGrantville, Philadelphia Park inBensalem and Presque Isle Downs inErie - and three harness racing tracks - The Meadows inWashington County, Harrah'sChester inDelaware County and Pocono Downs inWilkes-Barre. A fourth harness track, Valley View Downs inLawrence County, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2009.

Editors Note: PGCB Resolution is attached.

PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD

RESOLUTION

PGCB-2008-4-RG

WHEREAS The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004 is delivering on its promise of strengthening the Commonwealth's horse and harness racing industries. To date, slot machine gaming has generated more than $190 million for purses, breeder and sire stakes awards and health and pension benefits for horsemen, their families and employees; and

WHEREAS The Gaming Control Board, through its Director of Racetrack Gaming, works closely with the racing industry and the Horse and Harness Racing Commissions to ensure the Gaming Act's provisions related to racing are followed; and

WHEREAS The Board applauds the recent action by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Horse and Harness Racing Commissions and Governor Rendell to protect the equine athlete by banning anabolic steroids in racing; and

WHEREAS Catastrophic injuries to horses on the national stage, including 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro and the filly Eight Belles in this year's Derby, have focused attention on the need for a comprehensive examination of every facet of equine health, ranging from breeding practices to medication; and

WHEREAS Racetracks located at Philadelphia Park, Penn National, Presque Isle Downs, Mohegan Sun, Harrah'sChester, The Meadows and the future Valley View Downs represent an important economic engine inPennsylvania. Together, they produce an annual economic impact in the hundreds of millions of dollars; and

WHEREAS Funding for horse health and welfare is a worthwhile investment in the future of an important industry; andPennsylvania is home to outstanding equine researchers and facilities; and

WHEREAS The Board recognizes it does not have regulatory oversight in the area of horse health and safety, but nevertheless offers its support and cooperation to the Horse and Harness Racing Commissions, the Department of Agriculture, horsemen, breeders, and all other stakeholders who are committed to the health and welfare of the equine athlete; now therefore be it

RESOLVED That the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board supports efforts to invest in horse health and welfare to prevent and manage life-threatening athletic injuries, prevent economic loss, ensure the integrity of racing, improve the health of the industry, increase the longevity of competing and breeding horses, and maintain the strength of the gene pool.

Upon Motion duly made and seconded, the foregoing Resolution was adopted on May 15, 2008.

_______________________________

Paul Resch

Board Secretary

CONTACT: Doug Harbach or Richard McGarvey

(717) 346-8321

SOURCE Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

Tags: Politics, Republicans and Democrats, pennsylvania

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