Racing and Gaming Conference Will Discuss Timely Issues

At a time with no shortage of legal issues for racing, the three-day Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga will open Aug. 12.

The timely racing-involved topics scheduled to be discussed include the ongoing litigation involving the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority while also touching on topics about how the sport is regulated or officiated. One panel will discuss if the sport needs more communication between its stewards and fans to keep up with trends in other sports.

Several of the panels promise to dig deeper into some interesting topics. For instance, the HISA panel that gets things started Monday also will look at if the sport can expect some savings on the regulatory side as HISA takes over some regulatory responsibilities from states. The panel of four executive directors from prominent state regulators—California, Florida, New York, and Texas—are scheduled to discuss any changes they've made.

"Have the state regulators downsized? Have they laid off staff, cut their budgets, or decreased their tithe on the industry? Regulators from across the country will discuss how they are adapting to the new HISA world order," reads the topic description.

Other racing-related topics scheduled for the conference include on Tuesday a look at some of the sport's success stories, including the new Belmont Park being constructed in New York, the success of historical horse racing in Kentucky, and promising plans in Maryland. That panel is scheduled to include New York Racing Association CEO and president David O'Rourke as well as Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association CEO and chairman Alan Foreman.

On Wednesday the conference will look at pari-mutuel wagering issues, specifically tied to international pools, and a second panel will examine how horse racing fits in the emerging sports wagering market.

That latter panel will discuss if horse racing can find a seat at the sports wagering table. The description notes that, "Horseplayers and, more importantly, industry executives view wagering on horse racing as the original and ultimate in sports betting. On the other hand, many sports bettors and sports wagering executives view betting on horse racing as something to do when 'real' sports are not being offered. In other words, content filler, falling somewhere between volleyball and cricket. All of this plays out in negotiations over price and integration. Are racetracks overvaluing their product or are sportsbooks undervaluing horse racing? Will the horse racing industry ever accept a niche player role on a much larger platform or is the future a more finely tuned and more competitive horse-racing-only platform? Sportsbook operators will share their insight."

Patrick Brown, co-founder of the Racing and Gaming Conference, will provide some opening remarks to begin the conference at 2 p.m. ET Monday at the Saratoga Hilton. Jason Werth, a former major league all-star and a co-owner of Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Dornoch , will deliver the event's keynote speech Tuesday.