Howard Hamilton
SOME YEARS ago the Betting Gaming & Lotteries Commission requested proposals from interested parties to do a comprehensive survey of the gaming industry. It was felt at the time that this was needed in an effort to produce an informed gaming policy.
Nothing came of the proposals tendered. There is still no comprehensive information to guide decisions taken in an Industry that has such tremendous potential if properly structured. What is happening now is "piece meal" and a recipe for disaster.
The Chairman of the Jamaica Racing Commission recently announced that the commission would be initiating a study of the Racing Industry. This is urgently needed and funding would be sought from the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission, the Bookmakers Association and Caymanas Track Ltd., the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the various stakeholders e.g. Trainers Association et al. Such a study was done in Barbados some years ago and was invaluable in determining the future direction of their industry.
The sort of information needed should include:
(a) the number of horses with details as to how many are employed for racing, show jumping, polo, recreational ,riding schools, tourist activity etc.
(b) the economic impact of the Thoroughbred Racing industry (total revenue generated both legally and illegally)
(c) total number of jobs provided directly and indirectly.
And any other relevant information.
The information from such a study will be one of the most valuable tools to lobby lawmakers. It will support favourable legalisation in terms of wagering and defining Throughbred racing as an important part of the agri-business sector.
The number of jobs will be a most significant statistic - that is the one that really makes lawmakers pay attention.
STAKE HOLDERS
This study will not only aid lawmakers, but equally importantly the various stake holders as well as the media. The diversity of the industry will be highlighted - agriculture, sport, entertainment gaming and recreation all built on breeding, training, raising and racing horses to enjoy horses.
We need to appreciate the value of this agri-business activity in the same way that other agri-business activities are treated by the government. There are very few industries with the size and scope of the horse industry. We need to be properly informed so that decisions are taken based on facts.
We are hopeful that the Jamaica Racing Commission will commission this study on an urgent basis since "the Natives" are becoming restless once again. We are getting sick and tired of promises, promises, promises.
The promise of divestment we are now convinced was nothing more than "a comfort to a fool" The decision makers should appreciate - 'you can fool some of he people some of the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time."
Why should it have taken so long to find a suitable model for the financial restructuring of the industry? One thing is sure, we will not support any leasing model which attempts to provide some sort of monopoly to any group that will have a monopoly on the Gaming Industry.
The scant respect which Government pays to the racing industry is reflected in the way the Veterinary division of the Ministry of Agriculture has dealt with the quarantine station at Plum Point.
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association has been in constant dialogue with the Veterinary Division in an attempt to bring the stable area to a condition suitable for keeping horses for the two weeks required for quarantine purposes. It has been generally agreed that the condition of the stables needed urgent attention. Our offer (i.e TOBA's offer) to undertake the repair the stables was not acceptable - "the Government does not to do things that way!!"
After more than two years of complaints the Ministry finally decided to have the station repaired but no one advised the Industry that these repairs would result in the closing of the station so no horses should be imported. The result is that a number of people have purchased horses abroad for shipping to Jamaica and can get no word as to when the station will be in a condition to accept the horses In my own case, we have 12 horses ready for shipment since March.
SLACKNESS
The farm that agreed to prepare them for export now need their stable area since it was never imagined that the horses would have been there for more than two to three weeks. They have been awaiting shipment for some 120 days. At a cost of US$50.00 per day. You can imagine the unnecessary additional cost that this slackness on the part of the Veterinary Division has caused horsemen.
TOBA's advise to members caught with this problem is to seek legal advise and demand compensation for the additional costs involved and the total lack of concern and respect which the Veterinary Association has shown.
Some alternate site could have been found (e.g. the Quarantine station established at Caymanas race track for racing horses) if there was any real concern. Why was not the relevant Associations advised and an estimate provided as to how long the repairs would take?
As I have said before "the Natives" are getting restless and something has to give sooner than later.
Howard L. Hamilton C.D, J.P. is a former chairman of Caymanas Track Limited. He is the current president of Thoroughbred owners and Breeders' Association. He can be contacted at: howham@cwjamaica.com
