New regulations for horse racing

WWLP TV

Updated: Jul 17, 2012 8:02 PM

BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) — New plans have been announced to update the state's dying horse racing industry.

Next year, horse racing enthusiasts can place their bets knowing there are stronger r egulations and standards in place at the race track.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission announced that they will be strengthening drug testing practices, making sure that racing judges are properly accredited by national organizations, and that there is good electronic record-keeping and management of their finances.

The Commission's Racing Division took over the state's horse racing industry back in May. These new initiatives are being put in place to set the stage for gaming, which is expected to go hand and hand with racing in the future.

“You probably won't see the differences, but we're looking to automate, we're looking at licenses that can't be duplicated, we're looking at things like fingerprinting so we know the person is who they say they are,” Gayle Cameron, Commissioner of the Mass. Gaming Commission said.

2.5 percent of tax revenue that the state receives from casinos and 9 percent of what it receives from slots will also go to a Horse Race Development Fund.

That money will increase prize money for jockeys, which industry insiders hope will attract better horses to the races.

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