Manitoba Race Wagering

Race and sports wagering in Manitoba consists of live racing and simulcast, along with sports betting by the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation.

In 1965, the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission (MHRC) was established by the province to administer, monitor and regulate horse racing and the operation of all racetracks in Manitoba. The MHRC traditionally confined itself to regulating only racetracks offering pari-mutuel racing. In its 2005 annual report, it had recommended that the statutes governing horse racing be amended to ensure that the MHRC was not legally required to regulate non-pari-mutuel racing. The Manitoba government agreed to the recommendation, and the Horse Racing Regulation Act was repealed and the Horse Racing Commission Act amended. Pursuant to the amendment, a regulation was enacted whereby the MHRC is only required to regulate facilities with both live racing and betting. The commission oversees Assiniboia Downs – Manitoba's main track – along with a number of smaller rural facilities.

The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) regulates and supervises pari-mutuel betting on horse racing at racetracks across Canada. The CPMA brings together the interests of the stakeholders, including the betting public, provincial racing commissions, racing associations and horsemen.

In 1988, 40 video lottery terminals were added to Assiniboia Downs. The track installed an additional 100 machines in 1993. The Manitoba Lottery Corporation owns and operates the machines. In 1996, simulcasting was introduced at Assiniboia Downs.