Dwight Duncan, Ontario Financial Minister delivered a budget last Tuesday that just proposes to get rid of the slot games at the Racetrack program. The director of Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association, Bill O’Donnell said: “It’s mind-boggling”.

He was only made aware of the move a night before Duncan made his announcement. O’Donnell said: “We are completely confused. We haven’t had any dialogue hardly with them”. It’s sad to say that the government is intending to end the $345-million-a-year program.

In 1998 the slots at Racetracks program was established. It was once the entertainment and focal point in the small town Ontario. The slots were intended to support the industry, it helped cover for cost such as operating and maintaining of the racetrack and facilities. The decision of getting rid of it has already cost a few people their jobs, and it was said that the decision would only affect wealthy racetrack and horse owners.

It will become economically unfeasible to breed, raise and train horses to race without the money of the Slots in Racetrack program. The horse breeders have also taken it hard, some bookings have been cancelled as most of them do not know what to expect. Lots of people will be affected by this decision.