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Show The Signpost September 30, 1992 Pari-mutuel betting hits Utah ballots By JOYCE ZABRISKIE Asst. copy editor of Tlie Signpost Theissueof parirruituel racing is rounding to the home-stretch as both sides are heading,neck-to-neck, down to the wire for election day. The purpose of the initiative petition was to promote freedom of choice in Utah, to promote economic development and support public education. Voters in each county will decide if they want wagering in their counties. It will also ensure the promotion and uniform regulation of pari-mutuel racing in Utah. The horse industry in Utah is certainly more thanjust racehorses. According to the Utah study, there are about 300,000 horses in the state of Utah. A total of $1.53 billion is invested in the industry. "As far as I'm concerned, the whole horse breeding industry in Utah will benefit if the initiative passes," Judy O'Pikens, race horse secretary of Weber county, said. "One has to look at your junior posse, chariot racing and other areas of promotion. Ex-race horses or those not qualified for racing are sold and used in these other areas. "The initiative will encourage the breeding of bet- ter quality horses. Utah's horse industry is ranked fifth in the nation. It was fourth but it dropped in ranking because of the lack of money," she said. "At the moment we ha ve no way of regulating the breeding of horses." Proponents to the initiative say that by allowing Utah horse owners to race in Utah, much of the revenues lost to other states will remain inUtah's overall economy. The Utah Foundation says that it has no doubt that Utah can benefit from the initiative. But, opponents are opposing the moral and possible economical backlash brought about by legalized horse racing. TheLDS church is actively lobbying its members to defeat the initiative, using the fear of increased organized crime activities that will make their way into the state. 'They are really using it what else do they have to use?" O'Pikens said. "I think if they, the church leaders, could just watch a horse race they could understand the potential."Opponents to the initiativealso fear a bigger intrusion of gambling into the lives of Utah citizens. Not just horse-racing, but casino gambling. An increase of compulsive gamblers is a genuine concern. "I'm sure that at the Delta Center there are people that shouldn't be there," O'Pikens said. "I really don't think pari-mutuel racing will bring a lower class of people to Utah." Research into the pari-mutuel wagering initiative was conducted by the Utah Foundation, a nonprofit, impartial public service agency, that studies state and local government in Utah. The Nov. 3 vote is approaching and Utahns will decide if legalized pari-mutuel wagering will be allowed at horse races. According to the study, winnings collected from the wagering, about $20 mil- :-i iii'V y.... 1-ri... ? it ! ? J " 4 . " 1 4 v . : i - ; : .... - r ; . i i " (J - U i i STARTING GATES AT Weber County fairgrounds await the Nov. 3 decision. lion, will be distributed as follows: 80 percent, or $16.6 million, to winning bettors. 12 percent will be split by the tracks and the horsemen. 3 percent , or $625,601, is allocated towards Utah's education fund. All counties where tracks are located will split another 3 percent, while the Utah Racing Commission and Utah's horse industry is ranked fifth in the nation. It was ranked fourth but it dropped in ranking because of lack of money Judy the Utah Bred Incentive Fund will receive 1 percent, or $208,534. The commission is needed for Utah races to be sanctioned by the na-tionalhorse commissions. The commission would supervise all races held in the state, and make sure all tracks are inspected once a year. Without the commission in Ladies Night No Cover Charge place, by the end of next year, Utah races would lose certification by the national racing commissions. Without certification, Utah horses can be barred from racing in sanctioned national meets. The certification gives a horse's performance record and affects breeding and stud fees as well. O'Pikens ex- plained that if Weber county opts to run the track, it's cut of the proceeds will rise from 3 percent to 9 percent. "There are three sanctioned tracks in Utah, in St. George, SaltLake and Weber Counties . ," O'Pikens said. Weber's restaurant O'Pikens and hotel busi- nesses would also benefit byout-of-county visitors to the track. O'Pikens said that purses, the award money for horsemen, are paid by sponsors or horse owners. A percentage of the handle, or take from the track, will also support a state organized racing commission. Utah's history hasn't always been without horse racing. How- vr l j w V" rt 2504 Ogden Ave. 627-2782 CHUCK BOWHAYTHf SIGNPOST ever, in 1913, betting on horses was banned because of concerns about corruption. In 1925 the Utah State Fair Association and theState Racing Commission filed suit, challenging the law in the Utah Supreme Court. They won and betting wasre-introduced for two years, but was not met favorably. Two years later the original sponsor of the law worked towards its defeat citing corruption in the industry, loss of support from businesses and detrimental effects on the community as a whole. Betting was banned in 1927. One area of concern, according to the Utah Foundation, is the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory-Act of 1988 that will allow tribes to conduct gaming operations throughout the state. The federal government has classified pari-mutuel wagering as class three betting. If passed, all other class three operations can legally be operated on reservations, including casino games and poker. O'Pikens assured that the racing commission would strictly monitor the industry. Pari-mutuel racing, if approved, will only run from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The fate of the initiative will be determined at the wire on election dav. J2SS M. Mkiul For the members and guests of The Frog a Private Chili WSU first to e use START program By SCOTT SHINER - Govt, affairs editor of The Signpost Weber State will be the first university in Utah to use a "co-curricular transcript" program, which is a record of extra-curricu- Hilar activities each student has participated in during hisher college education. This program is called START (StudentTalentand Activity Record and Transcript). It will have an official school seal and will accom- pany the student's school transcripts.This transcript can then be used toward applying for post-graduate institutions or for finding employment."This is a way for a student to f express to graduate schools or employers what they really did in college other than just take classes," said Jeni Critchlow, ASWSU vice president over academics and administration.Critchlow feels that WSU stu-. dents would have an advantage" after graduating. T think for the students that get involved, they will have a better chance getting accepted into graduate schools or finding employment because they are able to present a more well-rounded picture of them- 0 selves," she said. Critchlow said the program was not designed for just seniors, but for everyone. "We want freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors anyone that is involved with any activ- ity that is outside of class," Critchlow said. The program was developed and implemented by both Critchlow and Michael McCleve, coordinator of student government, and was approved through the de-j partment of student activities. According to studies taken from Doane College, the majority (See START page 8) Ladies Night No Cover Charge Immm |
