Pari-mutuel betting @ Ellis Thomas Downs can reduce crime- Bishop John I. Cline
![Contacted yesterday, horse owner Violet ‘Letty’ Hodge said, “I support [the call for pari-mutuel betting] and I back them 100 percent. The reason for that is there is no race track in the world that does not have pari-mutuel betting.” Photo: VINO/File](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_3_350x_l_Letty_Hodge_01_05.jpg)
While it is written in the Bible that you cannot serve God and Mammon, a term used to mean money, persons are acknowledging that it is not as evil a thought to allow pari-mutuel betting at Ellis Thomas Downs as the money could be used to offset the costs of maintaining the track and also come in handy for other areas in which Government may have a need.
Almost all of the persons that we spoke with for this article seem to be suggesting that gambling in one form or the other already takes place at the horse track, so why not engage it in a legal and structured way.
Sometimes we have to wait weeks for our money
Horse owner Lesmore Smith said that this is something he supports and was vocal about it some years ago on the airwaves.
“If you go back three years ago you will see that I was on radio lobbying for this. I was the one pushing for this because it is very hard for us to get up every morning, go down there, train our horses, feed our horses, pay attendants, pay riders and sometimes you have to wait for a week and a half, two weeks to get paid after the race is finished, because we don’t have that capital and we have to wait for the sponsors to meet the purses,” explained Smith when contacted for a comment.
“I believe that if we find other ways and means of developing the sport then we should explore them. Remember the pari-mutuel betting is of such whereas automatically a certain percentage is given to the Government and this helps to put funds into other areas as needed…whether you want to put it to health services, the kids that need help, the school system, the cancer society, whatever it is,” he said.
“At the end of the day we are in fact a Christian society but we must be cognisant of the fact that the world is changing and moving forward,” he said. He noted that while horse racing is one of the oldest sports in the territory, financially it is very difficult to manage and maintain the track, taking into consideration that the Government has to pay for that.
“So if we get these little spin offs it will take the load off the one set of people who contribute very race day, including the Government.”
Smith is of the view that gambling already exists in the territory and noted that a typical example is when a phone company offers monetary prize incentives to persons who pay extra for a particular service or who top up a certain level. “That is gambling…they give you a chance to play and win.”
Government will get something from it
Former legislator Eileene L. Parsons OBE gave her verdict on the issue, voicing her support when we contacted her.
“I have been many places over the United States where there is pari-mutuel betting. I don’t know how it functions but I have been told that the Government will get something from the money,” she said.
Mrs Parsons explained that when she was a member of the House of Assembly in the late 90s, she was involved in the discussions regarding the relevant legislation.
“I was the one who got the legislation in 1998. I got legislation from as far away as the Isle of Man,” she said, noting that the drafted Bill included pari-mutuel betting.
“I am in support of it because down at the race track betting goes on and I am told that pari-mutuel will be safer and that Government will get something from each dollar wagered and I feel whatever Government gets they will use it to help maintain the track. That is why I am in favour of it,” she said.
The people must decide
Bishop John I. Cline of the New Life Baptist Church said that any attempt by the Government to minimise crime or the potential of crime should be looked at carefully and be considered.
“People are on the track betting anyway but they do it in a way that leaves a lot of room for conflict and I think that the Government is trying to minimise the potential for crime to be committed and I could only commend the Government for being proactive,” he said.
“What I would say from a religious perspective is that we are always mindful that we do what is in the best interest of the moral fibre of the community and while I don’t subscribe to a whole lot of things that go on, the Government is looking at it in a meaningful and beneficial way and I believe that it would reduce the potential for crime, I believe that they should continue to consider it and bring it to the people and let the people decide,” said Bishop Cline.
Backing the idea 100 percent
Contacted yesterday, horse owner Violet ‘Letty’ Hodge said, “I support [the call for pari-mutuel betting] and I back them 100 percent. The reason for that is there is no race track in the world that does not have pari-mutuel betting.”
She explained that the betting helps the track to maintain itself and also affords resources to the Government and tourism as people will want to come to the races to be able to bet.
“I hope that the Government opens up their eyes and see the benefits that it will have.”
Hodge said that with regard to the Christian community and its rejection of any form of gambling, it might be hard to change the mind-set of persons regardless of the evidence that might be presented. “But if they were to get an idea or see how a pari-mutuel is run and how a race track is run, then they may see why we are pushing for it.”
She said that many people are of the view that the racetrack is a burden to the Government and through pari-mutuel betting the funds garnered can be used to offset the expense of maintaining the racetrack.
BVI Horse Owners’ Association supports pari-mutuel betting
Speaking on behalf of the BVI Horse Owners’ Association, Public Relations Officer Esther N. Fraser voiced the Association’s support for pari-mutuel betting at the track.
“The BVI Horse Owners’ Association is in strong support of pari-mutuel betting within the British Virgin Islands. We believe it is in the best interest of the BVI’s sports culture that our Government revisits the discussion to cultivate legislation that regulates the industry and ensures proper governance of the same," she said.
“Currently, the BVI Horse Owners’ Association depends on the support of the Ministry of Education and Culture, sponsors and fundraising efforts to facilitate funding for the maintenance of the Ellis Thomas Downs race track and the execution of races held there. Horse racing within the BVI continues to grow, so much so that the basic needs for the sport has now surpassed that of our available resources. We must strategically seek to become self-sufficient," Fraser noted.
She said the BVI Horse Owners’ Association applauds the efforts of Honourable Minister Myron V. Walwyn and the Ministry of Education and Culture to encourage a frank dialogue on establishing a commission and the development of pari-mutuel betting in the territory.
“We see its potential; not only for preserving this cultural staple, but also for enhancing our sports tourism offerings and creating an additional revenue stream for the betterment of the entire BVI,” said Fraser.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
30 Responses to “Pari-mutuel betting @ Ellis Thomas Downs can reduce crime- Bishop John I. Cline”
People have been betting on the races from the very beginning and adding legalized betting will corrupt the sport even more. We insiders and I mean the real horse racing insiders know fully of times where races where fixed, here, St Thomas and St. Croix. Now add a lot more money to the equation, and then you're really going to see how sometimes things ain't always what they seem. Leave that out.
You want betting bring in poker machines and slot machine, but anything that these greedy people can rig like horse racing, leave it be!
So if & when overseas win a race here do they have to wait weeks for their payout to I wonder
your are not the religious leader that people should follow. What is he saying that olthough I am a christian any time my children are hungry I could go ahead and prostitute myself with no sins atached because it will serve a purpose to feed my children. That is his way of thinking and he has breaking many of God's rules already. The devil is a lier many religious leaders are wrong, have lost the vision, their way. Stop it People art to stand on Gods principals not yours.