18-Jan-07. Liberals want horse racing subsidy phased out. Lethbridge Herald, A5.

Maurice Tougas, the Alberta Liberal gaming critic, is called on Premier Ed Stelmach to phase out the subsidy given to Horse Racing Alberta (HRA). HRA has received more than $136-million in slot machine revenue since 2002 to revive the industry which was facing stiff competition from casinos and VLTs. Max Gibb, CEO of the Rocky Mountain Turf Club said the deal was necessary to revive live horse racing and continues to be needed in order to continue live horse racing in Lethbridge. Tougas point out that pubic attendance at horse racing events at Whoop-Up Downs in Lethbridge in 2005 was 63,860, down from 66,363 the year before.