Balmoral and Maywood Park General Manager Michael Belmonte has been cited as saying that racing officials in Illinois are currently in discussion with members of the General Assembly in hope of extending the Jan. 31 Advance Deposit Wagering deadline.
In regard to extending the current agreement for a short time in order to have state legislators pass an ADW bill, Belmonte has been quoted as saying, “They may need a couple more days, or a couple of more weeks.”
The raceway GM went on to say, “We’re hoping that a little more time will allow for a deal to be approved so that there’s no harm to racing.”
David Blanchette, a spokesman for Governor Pat Quinn, said earlier this week that "the governor supports extending advanced deposit wagering" and that "the governor intends to sign it (the ADW bill, which has already passed the Senate) if it reaches his desk."
Last week, Illinois Harness Horseman’s Association President Dave McCaffrey issued a press statement in which he said that it is imperative that Illinois legislators take time to pass the ADW bill so the Illinois Racing Board can continue to regulate horse racing in the state.
“Without ADW funds, the IRB cannot sufficiently carry out its responsibilities,” McCaffery said. “Consequently, harness racing would see a 95 per cent reduction in racing dates, from 251 racing days in 2013 to just 13 racing days in 2014. Such dramatic cuts will effectively kill Illinois horse racing and the thousands of jobs it creates.”
(With files from The Times of Northwest Indiana)