Gambling.co.uk: Gambling News Archive

HorsePlayer Interactive now subject of federal investigation

Ontario Racing Commission claim regulation changes were invalid and render site illegal

Monday 6th September 2004



HorsePlayer Interactive, a Canadian based phone and online operator is facing an investigation by the Canadian Federal Court. The site has gained attention since the Ontario Racing Commission suggested that a change in rules regarding such operations made by then agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief last year. The Commission has claimed that the change made exceeded the former minister’s legal authority.

This change centres around the definition of the term telephone- as applied in betting operations. HorsePlayer Interactive was founded in 1996, and the telephone betting arm came into existence last January, following this change in regulation made last year. The legality of the site is now to be investigated following these allegations by the Ontario Racing Commission.

Currently Horseplayer Interactive is taking in approximately $1 million in bets from its customers in Canada, the US, Europe and Asia. It provides toll free telephone lines anywhere in North America. Online services include a tote board, free racing programs that can be downloaded and live audio and video streaming of Woodbine Entertainment Group racing. Woodbine is the company which owns the site. The site is expected to remain functional during the course of this new investigation.

Details of the application made to the Federal Canadian court include the following statement which has been made available to the press. The racing commission said in its application: “'There is good reason to believe that the regulation is . . . invalid. The minister does not have authority to make by regulation a definition of the term 'telephone'.'




Source: OnlineCasinoNews