Information Bulletin No. 51 - 2018 Racetrack Licensing and Race Dates
October 18, 2017 – To operate a racetrack in the Province of Ontario, a Racetrack Operator must be licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The process is initiated by submitting an application for licence to the Registrar. Pursuant to the Horse Racing Licence Act, 2015, the Registrar will make a licensing determination and may then issue a licence with terms and conditions to the Racetrack Operator for the given year.
Each year the Racetrack Operator is required to submit an application to renew their licence and ensure that certain documents are on file with the AGCO. A list of materials that must accompany the licence renewal application can be found in the document entitled “2018 Renewal Racetrack Licensing - Required Documents” (Required Documents) available on the AGCO Horse Racing website and attached to this Bulletin.
Horse Racing Partnership Plan (HRPP)
In accordance with the HRPP Transfer Payment Agreements, Racetrack Operators must continue to hold a licence with the AGCO and meet all regulatory requirements.
Race Dates
As per the communications already released to the racetracks by OLG and Ontario Racing, the race date applications for 2018 will include all three organizations. Racetracks are subject to the deadlines as laid out by OLG and Ontario Racing. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will be issuing final approval of the 2018 calendars to the racetracks.
Late Filing Penalty
Where material required from a Racetrack Operator has not been submitted by the deadlines communicated in the Required Documents, a late filing fee of up to 10% of the Racetrack Operator’s licensing fee may be assessed at the discretion of the Registrar.