New horse racing chief says he won't be soft rule enforcer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana Horse Racing Commission's new director says he won't be soft on enforcing rules on illegal drugs in the sport, even as he tries to boost its appeal to gamblers and halt the state's decline in racehorse breeding.
Mike Smith started this month after 13 years as director of the Casino Association of Indiana lobbying group and a decade as a Republican member of the Indiana House.
He replaces Joe Gorajec, who was fired in October after 25 years in the position after criticism that he was too focused on enforcing regulations and did little to promote the industry.
Smith said his first priority would be as a regulator and that he doesn't see a conflict with the commission also promoting the sport.
"You have to have the integrity piece. People have to be comfortable with the product," he told the Indianapolis Business Journal (http://bit.ly/24nNrjd ).
The amount wagered at Indiana's two pari-mutuel tracks in Anderson and Shelbyville and its four off-track-betting parlors has dropped by more than half since reaching a peak of $190 million in 2005. The number of Indiana-bred foals has dropped by about 1,000 since 2011, when there were 2,733, according to the state commission.
Smith said he didn't believe the use of performance-enhancing drugs on horses was widespread in Indiana, but vows to crack down on it whenever it is found.
"I promise you I won't be soft on illegal drugs," Smith said. "If someone breaks the rules, they will pay the penalty. That's the way it has to be."
Commission Chairman Thomas Weatherwax said Smith has the right kind of experience to lead Indiana's horse racing business.
Smith and the commission's staff are preparing to launch a more aggressive social media marketing campaign and working on other promotion ideas.
"You'll see us try to work with every stakeholder to leverage every possible dollar for promotion," Smith said. "We want to have the best place in the world to come and race."
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Information from: Indianapolis Business Journal, http://www.ibj.com