Horseracing

Jamaica allows Sunday horse races

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Updated Nov 25, 2009 7:00 PM ET
     
 

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP)

Jamaica will for the first time allow horse racing on Sundays in a bid to revive the economy and draw tourists, but will ban off-track betting on the day.

The decision to allow races on Sundays - the first meeting will be this weekend - came despite ardent opposition from church leaders who argued it would lead to gambling addictions and bankruptcies. But the Reverend Michael Shim-Hue, chairman of Jamaica's Pentecostal Union, said leaders are satisfied with the ban on off-track bets.

Horse racing officials plan to fight the decision that off-track betting parlors close on Sundays.

Information Minister Daryl Vaz said on Wednesday he will meet with promoters and decide whether the ban will remain in place for a second race scheduled on Dec. 13.

When the government debated whether to allow Sunday races, Finance Ministry spokesman Arthur Williams said it would help revive the island's struggling economy and attract more tourists.

Races are usually held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, drawing thousands of spectators who bet on horses with names such as "Explosive Cat" and "Super Dave."

Kingston's Caymanas Park is the island's only thoroughbred track, and promoter Caymanas Track Limited owns 62 off-track betting parlors.

Spokesman Christopher Armond said he was disappointed by the off-track betting decision and will push to reverse the ban.

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