| AGENCY MISSION
The WHRC regulates pari-mutuel horse racing
and supports the development of the horse racing
industry.
GOALS
1. Foster a regulatory environment
that promotes the economic benefits of the equine
industry.
2. Ensure that the public
has confidence in the integrity of pari-mutuel
horse racing.
STRATEGIES
1. |
Implement procedures to improve the licensing
process and facilitate electronic access
to licensing forms and payments. |
|
a. |
Facilitate electronic access
to licensing forms and payment. |
|
b. |
Provide a high-speed Internet connection
for all Class C race meets. |
2. |
Increase awareness of agency responsibilities
among the betting public and the horse racing
industry. |
|
a. |
Redesign the agency web page to a more
interactive design providing our stakeholders
and licensees greater access to agency services
and information. |
|
b. |
Publish a tri-fold brochure for racetrack
distribution on the responsibilities of
the agency. |
|
c. |
Expand the use of electronic media in
the agency’s rulemaking process. |
|
d. |
Survey the public to assess perceptions
of the horse racing industry and the agency. |
|
e. |
Develop informational and instructional
materials to accommodate non-English speaking
licensees. |
3. |
Reinvest available resources back into the
horse racing industry. |
|
a. |
Develop options to reinvest available
resources back into the industry by offering
a monetary incentive program for jockeys
riding at the Class C race meets. |
|
b. |
Develop options to reinvest available
resources into the industry by offering
additional funds to Class C capital improvements
fund (Donohue Fund). |
4. |
Expand the application process to include
fingerprint based background checks for
all participants. |
|
a. |
Increase license fees to cover the costs
of licensing, to include national fingerprint-based
criminal history records information (CHRI)
checks. |
|
b. |
Develop ability to submit fingerprints
electronically for national CHRI. |
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
1. Number of live racing days.
2. Annual in-state pari-mutuel
wagering total. This is the main source of revenues
for the industry. Purses, awards, track and
state revenues are directly related to the amount
of pari-mutuel handle.
3. Average number of horses
per race. This reflects the overall strength
of the racing and breeding programs throughout
the state.
|
Washington
Horse Racing Commission
