The recent one-day retreat involving Senator Don Wehby, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, the Jamaica Racing Commission, Caymanas Track Limited and the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission, was described as "very productive" by one of the major players.

This, the first-ever retreat of its kind to chart the way forward in the racing industry, was held on Tuesday, June 23, at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston.

Among those present were Rudolph Muir, chairman of the Jamaica Racing Commission and fellow commissioners; Tony Hart, chairman of the promoting company, Caymanas Track Limited and members of the board, along with George Soutar, chairman of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission and the board members.

The all-day session covered a wide range of discussions not only on finding ways to cooperate, but to improve the revenues as the consensus was that horse racing on its own can no longer sustain the industry.

According to one participant, "We looked at how we could diversify the product by transforming Caymanas Park into a family-oriented entertainment centre with a lottery product, gaming machines, etc., to complement the racing." Minister Wehby was more specific:

Need to upgrade

"The new business model has to involve diversifying the product at Caymanas Park. We have to use technology to introduce telephone and Internet betting, we need to upgrade the whole facility, including our OTBs to betting lounges, to transmit our races to the Jamaican diaspora and also to find ways to become more efficient," he explained.

Continuing, Wehby, who pointed out that the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission Amendment Act will soon be tabled in Parliament, said there was also discussion on corruption in racing, illegal bookmaking and security at Caymanas Park and how to effectively tackle these problems.

Noting what he termed the "increasing concerns" about corruption and security at the track, Wehby said he has asked CTL director Danville Walker to look into this.

Wehby further stated that he has commissioned an independent study which could see the merging of the Racing Commission and the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission, both of which occupy adjoining premises on Winchester Road.

There was also discussion on the ownership structure (privatisation of Caymanas Park).

In this regard, Wehby said the Government should divest its interest in the track.

However, he was quick to point out that instead of having one dominant shareholder, blocks of shares should be offered and the company listed on the stock exchange.

Three proposals were put forward and the retreat also heard presentations by CTL director Chris Armond, who is also chairman of racing's advisory council, and Ruth Ann Smith-Sutherland, general manager of the Jamaica Racing Commission.

- O.C.