The Government of Alberta and Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) have signed a new 10-year agreement, which will support rural communities and the agriculture sector. The agreement replaces a previous 10-year funding arrangement expiring at the end of March, which supported the industry using a portion of slot machine revenues from Racing Entertainment Centres (RECs) located in a number of locations around the province.

In announcing the agreement Alberta’s Minister of Finance and the President of the Treasury Board stated “Horse racing is an important cultural and sporting industry in this province and this agreement builds a foundation for a long-term sustainable future.”

In the past, HRA, a private not-for-profit corporation, received flow-through funding from the Alberta Lottery Fund equivalent to 51 2/3 per cent of the net revenue from slot machines at RECs. Under the new agreement, the percentage will be gradually reduced over three years to 40 per cent: 50 per cent in 2016-17, 45 per cent in 2017-18 and 40 per cent beginning in 2018-19 and for the remainder of the 10 year term ending in 2026. No tax dollars are used within this funding arrangement.

Rick Lelacheur the Chairman of Horse Racing Alberta commented that “Alberta’s horse racing and breeding industry is optimistic the Government of Alberta has provided our industry with the means to successfully manage and develop the future of horse racing and breeding in the province.”