By Orville Clarke, Gleaner WriterTHE JAMAICA Race-horse Trainers Association (JRTA) is calling on the government not to grant concession to any sector of the gaming industry until a full investigation is done to ascertain the revenue and tax potential of the industry.
This position was taken following an executive meeting of the JRTA late last week.
According to the press release dated Friday, August 8 over the signature of first vice-president Vin Edwards, the government should not heed to any sector which continuously breaks the laws of the land, allowing bookmakers to open their shops in competition with CTL after closing time on local racedays.
The JRTA was reacting to the news that State Minister for Finance Fitz Jackson has accepted recommendations by the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission to grant certain concessions to the bookmaking industry such as extension of opening hours, easing of advertising restrictions and the issuing of licenses over a longer periods.
These proposals are awaiting Cabinet approval as they will require legislative and regulatory changes.
Edwards said, based on the reports, if the government allows the bookmakers to operate in such a manner "this will destroy the racing industry".
Continuing, he said the JRTA could never support this position and felt his association should have some input in the matter.
NOT REALISING ITS FULL POTENTIAL
Edwards further stated that the racing industry is not realising its full potential especially in light of the recent revelation that one illegal gambling operation is raking in more money than Caymanas Park per week.
In a swift response, Xavier Chin, CEO of Track Price Plus and president of the United Bookmakers Association (UBA), had this to say:
"From the moment CTL started to sell English and American racing they became our competitors and the only fair thing to do is to level the playing field.
"This will be to the benefit of the promoters and government and to the demise of the illegal bookmaker", he argued.
At the same time, Chin said he was in total agreement with the Minister that full computerisation of all bookmakers by a prescribed time is a must as this will lead to greater transparency.
He was quick to point out that the bookmakers pay 11 per cent of gross sales to the government as taxes, four per cent of this going directly to purses.
According to Chin, the operations of Track Price Plus are 90 percent computerised.
"The only reason why we have not gone 100 per cent at this stage is because our frame relay suppliers Cable & Wireless Limited are unable to offer us service in some remote rural areas.
However, until this is rectified we will not be opening any more shops without computers installed", explained Chin who is head of the island's largest bookmaking company.
