BURST
The province will cut slot machine revenue for Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse, signalling what may be another nail in the coffin for B.C’s last horse track.
In an email to members sent Friday, the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of B.C. said that the province had detailed its decision in a letter signed by Nina Krieger, minister of public safety and solicitor general, and sent to Horse Racing B.C.
“Given the significant financial sustainability concerns revealed by the review, we have made the very difficult decision to stop providing net slot machine revenue to the industry as of Jan. 31, 2026,” the letter states.
The letter goes on to explain that even with significant and continuing casino-generated revenue, horse-rasing is not sustainable due to drops in revenue, public participation and attendance.
The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of B.C. has called an emergency board meeting for Friday evening.
“Until we have hard facts to relay to HBPA members, there will be no speculation as to what comes next although, clearly, this latest news is as serious as it was unexpected,” wrote the association.
“We know this announcement will cause shock, anger, and uncertainty. We share those feelings.
“But we also know the strength and resilience of the people who make up this industry and we will keep you informed frequently as we assess next steps and chart a course forward.”
The Hastings Park racecourse is the last horse racing track in B.C. and in recent years, a share of revenue from the casino has provied key revenue to support horse racing. According to a history of Hasting Park at a website of the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, the first horse race there was in 1892.
In August, the city of Surrey ended its lease with Great Canadian Entertainment, shutting down the Fraser Downs harness racing track after 49 years .
While the racecourse is owned by Great Canadian Entertainment, the land on which its sits is held by the city of Vancouver and a lease is due to expire in May.
Combined with the racetrack’s uncertain financial performance in recent years, there has been speculation about the future of the space.
The Vancouver Whitecaps had been in talks with the city about building a new soccer stadium on the land, and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation reached a deal in June to buy the casino, which operates next to the track.
More to come.