Horse Races - Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations

Act: Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, s. 204
Regulation: Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations, SOR/91-365, as amended

To Whom Does This Apply?

Owners of racetracks (horses) and the betting public.

Summary

The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) is a Special Operating Agency of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada responsible for regulating pari-mutuel betting on horse racing in Canada, as authorized by Section 204 of the Criminal Code.

The CPMA's role is to protect the betting public against potential fraudulent practices. A levy (0.8%) is charged on every dollar bet on horse racing that goes into a revolving fund from which the Agency's services are funded.

The CPMA supervises pari-mutuel betting on horse races by means of the provision of the following services:

• on-track testing of all computerized betting systems, auditing of betting and the calculation of pay-out prices;
• photo finish to aid judges/stewards in accurately determining the exact order of finish;
• video race patrol to aid judges/stewards in the detection of rule violations during races;
• drug control program which tests urine and/or blood samples taken from every winner and other horses selected at random;
• research to improve drug detection methods and to provide guidelines on drug elimination times to horse trainers and veterinarians.

The key business objectives of the CPMA are:

• to provide efficient and effective pari-mutuel supervision within the resource level of the federal levy;
• to protect the wagering public against fraudulent practices in order to help maintain the viability of the racing industry by providing and promoting services which contribute to the positive image of racing.

Publications

Publications available from the CPMA include:

• Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations;
• Schedule of Drugs booklet;
• Equine Drug Control Q & A booklet.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this section is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. For particular questions, the users are invited to contact their lawyer. For additional information, see contact(s) listed below.

Quebec Contact(s):
See National Contact.

---

National Contact(s):
Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
P.O. Box 5904, LCD Merivale
Ottawa, Ontario  K2C 3X7
Telephone: (613) 946-1700
Fax: (613) 952-7466
Toll-free (information): 1-800-2-MUTUEL or 1-800-268-8835
Web site: http://www.agr.gc.ca/index_e.phtml