Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency Policy Paper P-003

Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency Policy Paper P-003 (PDF Version, 37 KB)

Policy title

Approval of Canadian Associations' Pari-Mutuel Systems Located Outside Canada

Date of issue

Issued: February 10, 2011
Revised: March 6, 2014

Legislative reference

The definition "pari-mutuel system" as defined under section 2 of the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations (herein referred to as the Regulations) means the equipment and all software, including the totalizator, the telephone account betting system, the on-track account betting system and the inter-track betting equipment, that are used to record bets and to transmit betting data

Sections 12 to 17 of Part II of the Regulations
Sections 20 and 21 of Part II of the Regulations

National Coding System File Number

3800-4-18

Effective date

February 10, 2011

Issue

Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) has received requests for approval of a pari-mutuel system located in a foreign country. In some cases, the proposal is for the foreign system to act as a back-up in the case of disaster.

Policy

The CPMA will approve pari-mutuel systems to be located outside Canada under the following guidelines:

A. Requests for approval

Each approved pari-mutuel system must satisfy all requirements listed in the Regulations, policies and standards of the CPMA. Associations are to submit to the CPMA a written request for the approval of pari-mutuel systems located outside Canada. The request must provide the following information:

  1. Physical Location
    • Address,
    • Description of the physical facility,
    • List of types of consoles and their related functions,
    • Software version,
    • Contact name, telephone number, facsimile number, e-mail address,
    • Schematic chart (high level) providing an overview of the equipment showing the interconnections of each piece of hardware in the computer system (this chart must be provided prior to a physical inspection and annual system testing).
  2. Foreign Regulatory Body (if any)
    • Name and address of the Regulatory Body,
    • Contact name, telephone number, facsimile number, e-mail address,
    • Copy of any regulatory ruling, order, condition, fine or suspension relating to the pari-mutuel system, its operators, staff or facilities,
    • Copy of regulatory licences applicable in the jurisdiction.
  3. Updated Information
    • Description of the processes and arrangements by which the Canadian association will be notified, in advance, by its operator at the foreign location, of any changes related to the physical location, system hardware and/or software.
  4. Reports & Controls
    • Confirmation that an operator situated in an approved location in Canada is able to generate all required reports,
    • Description of the access controls and processes for management software maintenance on the system. Maintenance is defined as service done to the tote system such as any operating system software patches, any updates to pari-mutuel software applications(s) and any new pricing package software changes not available to operators.
  5. System Logs and Operator Logs
    • Description of how system logs and operator logs will be available from approved Canadian locations.
  6. Security

    A description of the:

    • security arrangements for the pari-mutuel system (hardware and software);
    • controlled access to the physical facility and equipment;
    • security arrangements that protect all records recorded in the pari-mutuel system.

Note: Associations intending to store betting patrons' personal information outside of Canada should obtain their own legal advice respecting their obligations under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

B. Evaluation and approval of requests

Upon receiving written requests from associations for the approval of a pari-mutuel system located outside Canada, the CPMA will conduct the following evaluation:

Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency inspection

The CPMA:

  • will validate information submitted in the associations' request; and
  • may conduct a site inspection or require that such an inspection be conducted.

Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency Testing:

For approval, the CPMA will test:

  • Compatibility with the CPMA's monitoring system;
  • The ability to generate and transfer electronic data to the CPMA Statistical System (CPMASS) daily;
  • The ability of the system to correctly calculate payouts and to produce required reports.

Note: It is the association's responsibility to arrange for testing with CPMA.

C. Updated information and reporting

Associations shall provide the CPMA:

  • Pre-race reports, race-by-race reports, and post race card reports immediately on demand;
  • ad hoc reports and logs immediately on demand;
  • Previous day(s) records, reports and logs upon receipt of the Agency's written request;
  • Any updates to information in Part 'A', Request For Approval, and at least once a year from the date of approval a signed statement attesting to the accuracy of this information.
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