Jackson
Hole, Wyoming--- The North
American Pari-Mutuel Regulators Association (NAPRA), in continuing
to be the industry’s regulatory workhorse, completed its three
day Fall Convention in Jackson Hole on Monday, October 4, 2004.
In
addition to introducing Paul J. Bowlinger as the new full-time Executive Director, NAPRA elected
two new board members to vacant positions.
Representing Region 3 is Darcy Hitesman; Chair of the
Minnesota Racing Commission and filling in an at large position is
Larry Eliason, Executive Secretary of the South Dakota Commission
on Gaming.
A
major advance was made in the formation of an Ad Hoc committee
made up of U.S. and Canadian experts in Tote Security. This blue
ribbon panel will review the recommendations put forth in the
recently released report produced by the NTRA’s Wagering Systems
Task Force. Specifically, the committee will review the
technology-related recommendations concerning the development of a
wagering transaction protocol, formation of a National Office of
Wagering Security and other pari-mutuel system integrity issues.
NAPRA intends to be the standard-bearer regarding compliance with
these recommended Tote and Wagering security issues and in their
industry wide enforcement for the benefit of the betting public
and industry as a whole.
The NAPRA Board
of Directors is promptly considering the important requests
submitted by Jockeys’ Guild Chair Tomey Jean Swan and it’s
President Dr. L. Wayne Gertmenian. The Guild presented issues that
they believe to be crucial to its members. Within 24 hours NAPRA
President Gary Belecki appointed a distinguished and experienced
group of Commissioners and staff to review the Guild’s
submissions and return to the Board with recommendations in order
to determine to what extent NAPRA can assist, consistent with the
best interests of the industry.
In other action
the Board requested the finance committee to include $2,500.00 in
the proposed 2005 budget for support of the Racing Industry
Stewards Accreditation Program.
For
more information please contact Paul J. Bowlinger at 888-627-7250.
