Nebraska Regulator Hears Debate on Historical Racing
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Photo: Coady Photography
Historical racing games at Derby City Gaming in Louisville, Ky.
The Nebraska State Racing Commission took no action on historical gaming at its regular meeting Jan. 16, according to the Lincoln Journal Star, but will announce a decision at its next meeting in either February or March.
In October the commission had approved historical gaming as requested by Fonner Park, but the state's attorney general later issued a letter stating the commission had violated Nebraska's open meetings law at that meeting. The Lincoln Journal Star said the commission on Wednesday rescinded that October decision and then reconsidered the issue, listening to proponents and opponents of historical racing.
Historical racing games look like slot machines but base winning combinations on previously run horse races and determine payouts through a pari-mutuel formula.
The paper reported that a representative of the attorney general said Wednesday that if the commission ultimately decides to allow the machines at Fonner, it wouldn't be defended by the state should it be sued. A Fonner attorney told the commission it has the authority to approve the games.