Bill to Repeal Idaho Instant Racing Advances
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A bill seeking to outlaw Idaho's Instant Racing machines is on its way to the Senate floor despite pleas from horse racing representatives that racetracks will go out of business if the machines are taken away.
The Senate State Affairs Committee endorsed legislation Feb. 11 to repeal historical horse racing, also known as Instant Racing, in Idaho. Instant Racing takes place on a betting terminal that allows people to bet on a horse race that happened in the past, with no identifiable information given.
The legislation is being backed by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and lawmakers who felt like the information presented in 2013 when Instant Racing was approved in Idaho didn't contain all the facts.
"I cannot escape the fact that these are electronic simulations of slot machines," said Democratic Sen. Eliot Werk of Boise. "I cannot escape that these machines don't appear to be allowed under the Idaho Constitution. I sympathize with the impact that that has with Idaho racing, I cannot escape it."
The legislation has induced a panic among horse racing representatives and racetrack owners who argue the money collected from Instant Racing is vital to reviving their industry. Horse racing has been on a steady decline over the years as other forms of gambling have gained popularity.
Racetrack owners from across the state testified opposing the bill, saying they had invested thousands of dollars to purchase Instant Racing terminals and were still waiting to turn a profit. If the repeal bill survives the legislature and is signed by the governor, racetrack owners would have to remove the machines by July 1.
Three out of Idaho's eight racetracks currently have Instant Racing machines. Roughly 250 terminals have been installed since the law passed two years ago.
"Historical racing in Idaho has passed the tests and satisfied the audits," said John Sheldon, president of Treasure Valley Racing, which operates Les Bois Park just outside of Boise. "I urge you to focus on the test results and audits provided by the Idaho State Racing Commission...Give us an opportunity to continue working to save the horse racing industry in Idaho."
Lawmakers listened to six hours of testimony, primarily from representatives from breeder associations, jockeys, racetrack owners, and Instant Racing developers. Testimony ranged from tearful to accusatory, calling out lawmakers for considering repealing a law that would punish business owners. Hall of Fame jockey and Idaho native Gary Stevens was among those who testified against the Instant Racing repeal.
"I did support the previous legislation," said. Sen. Todd Lakey of Nampa. "I do feel what was represented was not installed. Call it creative marketing, call it whatever you want, you cannot justify making it like a slot machine."