Despite big profits, commission warns patrons to gamble responsibly
Published:Wednesday | July 27, 2022 | 12:11 AM
WHEN HORSE racing fans converge on Caymanas Park and off track betting parlours (OTBs) across the island for the BGLC Emancipation Race Day, they are expected to place millions of dollars in bets on the horses running in the nine-race card.
While the revenue earned from horse racing events supports an industry that employs thousands of Jamaicans, and provides returns for the racing promoter Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) and the Government, the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC), as regulator of gambling on sports, says it is still important that the punters who place these bets are careful in regard to the extent to which they engage in this form of gambling.
“Gambling responsibly means that players take steps to ensure that they do so in an acceptable and safe manner to avoid falling into financial problems and developing a problem, gambling syndrome,” explained Vitus Evans, executive director of the BGLC.
“The commission encourages all persons who choose to engage in gambling to do so in a moderate and manageable level so that it remains a fun and entertaining activity.
“Our recent research on adult gambling in Jamaica reveals that up to 10 per cent of gamblers here have some level of a gambling disorder. Given this indicator, we are increasing the cadence of communications around responsible gambling. It is therefore appropriate that we highlight this message as part of our sponsorship of the annual Emancipation Race Day,” said Evans.
The 18th BGLC Emancipation Race Day takes place at Caymanas Park on Monday. The race day, which is a Jamaica 60-endorsed event, will include the BGLC/TOBA Juvenile Dash for two-year-old maidens and the BGLC Trophy for horses three years old and up, to be run over 1100m.
“In recognition of Jamaica 60, we are also offering the Jamaica 60 Trophy, a race for four-year-olds running over 1600m,” revealed Jeanette Lewis, manager, Corporate Affairs and Communication.
“Given this diamond jubilee celebrating Jamaica’s 60 years of independence, the winning owner of this race will take home a special diamond-themed trophy.”