INITIAL STEPS TAKEN BY THE NTRA WAGERING TECHNOLOGY WORKING GROUP

The NTRA Wagering Technology Working Group had its first formal meeting Monday and took the following initial steps:

1. reviewed initial findings on past history and best practices from other industries (e.g., banking) with similar issues relating to information systems security;

2. reviewed the credentials of an independent technical audit firm with specialized experience in ongoing testing of information security systems and recommended the recruitment of such a firm (it is anticipated that this firm will be retained and announced shortly, following approval of the expenditures involved by the NTRA Board of Directors);

3. approved initial appointments to Working Group “Task Forces” (Legal, Technical, Communications) and heard reports on the work of these groups to date, along with suggestions for next steps, including additional outreach to regular customers, additional questions to be asked of the industry totalisator companies, etc.;

4. reviewed the available facts concerning the investigation into the Breeders’ Cup Pick Six by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and related matters;

5. reviewed the tote systems security measures presently being taken or considered by the Churchill Downs – Magna Entertainment – New York Racing Association group and the current field study in this area by the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau;

6. discussed the input already received from customers, fans and industry constituents; identified a “short list” of potential interim steps to be reviewed immediately with industry and tote representatives; and

7. approved a policy of regular and various updates to the industry and the public, coordinated by the Working Group and its Communications Task Force.

“The incidents now under investigation represent a wakeup call to which our industry is responding vigorously. We are committed to identifying and implementing all reforms necessary to assure the integrity of racing’s wagering systems,” said NTRA Commissioner Tim Smith following the Working Group’s two-and-a-half-hour first meeting. “The Wagering Technology Working Group established by the NTRA is a vital part of this effort. It will move forward aggressively and operate in a manner designed to assure our customers that the pari-mutuel system is protected from abuse.”

The Working Group’s next meeting has been scheduled for this Thursday, November 7.

NTRA WAGERING TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCES

COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE
NAME ORGANIZATION
Keith Chamblin NTRA, Task Force Coordinator
Bob Curran Turf Publicists of America
Sue Floyd Magna Entertainment
Jim Gluckson Breeders’ Cup Ltd.
Ben Haggin NTRA
Mike Mooney Hollywood Park
Bill Nader New York Racing Association
Jody Powell Powell Tate
Chris Scherf Thoroughbred Racing Associations
Karl Schmitt Churchill Downs
Mike Tanner Gulfstream Park
Chip Tuttle Conover Tuttle
Eric Wing NTRA
Stewart Zanville Santa Anita

LEGAL TASK FORCE
NAME ORGANIZATION
Greg Avioli NTRA, Task Force Coordinator
Alan Foreman Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Associations
Ed Hannah Magna Entertainment
Pat Kehoe New York Racing Association
Roger Licht California Horse Racing Board
John Roark National HBPA
Michael Shagan Consultant
Julian Solotorovsky Consultant
John Van de Kamp Thoroughbred Owners of California
Alex Waldrop Churchill Downs
Harvie Wilkinson Keeneland Association

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE
NAME ORGANIZATION
Ken Kirchner NTRA, Task Force Coordinator
Paul Berube Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau
Bobby Birch The Jockey Club Information Systems
Bob Bork Sam Houston Race Park
Tom Caseragola NY State Racing & Wagering Board
Jim Gallagher New York Racing Association
George Haines Santa Anita Park
David Haydon Encompass
Pat Mahoney Calder Race Course
Rich McNutt TVG
Ted Mudge Magna Entertainment
John Reagan California Horse Racing Board
John Walzak Ontario Harness Horse Association