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Ohio track funding to seniors programs dip

Since the creation of a wagering allocation to the home-based care PASSPORT program for seniors by the Ohio legislature, horse racing has provided more than $45 million to the program. But its 2006 contribution was the lowest ever - $3.6 million - down $1.7 million from a yearly high of $5.3 million in 2000 and 2001.

"It's no secret that attendance and betting at Ohio horse race tracks is suffering," says Gayle Babst, executive director of Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners. "But most people don't have any idea that it means less money for senior care through PASSPORT. We keep hearing 'no' to expanded gambling at Ohio tracks that would increase betting, but the tracks still have to pay this special tax to the PASSPORT fund. I wish more people would realize that efforts to shore up horse racing would directly benefit seniors through PASSPORT and not just our industry."

In 1996, the Ohio legislature eliminated the Ohio Horse Racing Quality Assurance Fund and established a gross tax revenue share on wagering for the Medicaid waiver PASSPORT program that pays for home-based care for seniors. A total of 25 percent of gross tax on track wagering revenue, 0.5 percent of off-track betting parlor wagers and 2.5 percent of winning payouts at off- track better parlors go toward the program annually.

"The PASSPORT program receives more money a year than either of the funds established to support thoroughbred and standardbred racing in Ohio," Babst says. "We value PASSPORT as an important service to Ohio seniors and want the public to know it receives wagering financial support. It is frustrating to know how much more money seniors could be receiving through the program if expanded gambling was an option at our Ohio tracks."

Ohio allocates funds to PASSPORT, which allows seniors to receive home- based care vs. having to enter a nursing home, every biennial state budget funding a specific number of enrollments. Primary funding comes from state Medicaid allocations. The state has estimated average annual care through PASSPORT to cost half of nursing home care, or about $23,702 per person.

"If attendance and wagering could be strengthened at Ohio tracks to levels of just a few years ago, contributions to PASSPORT could provide for more than 200 Ohio seniors to continue living at home," Babst says.

Race purses at Ohio commercial tracks, lower than in surrounding states supported by additional gambling, continue to be squeezed by ongoing regional gambling expansion.

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