The results of 28 focus groups and an in-depth survey of industry stakeholders have revealed widespread support for the creation of a centralized rule making entity accountable to the existing racing commissions reorganized into a multi-jurisdictional entity (interstate compact), the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) has announced.

Approximately 3,000 people determined racing’s top problems to be addressed are perception (19.2%) and competition (23.8%), followed by a lack of uniformity in rules (17.8%) and doping (14.1%).

Additionally, 80% of respondents indicated a lack of uniform rules was either a “problem” or a “big problem,” and 81% gave a similar response when asked about inconsistent penalties.

Further, 68% of respondents said they would prefer the creation of a central rule-making entity whose rules would apply to all industry participants. When combined with those who “could live with” this approach, the acceptability number jumps to 92%