Canterbury's Racino proposal is contained in House File 646, authored by Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan). This bill authorizes the Minnesota Lottery to operate slot machines at the Shakopee location owned by Canterbury Park. The Racino at Canterbury Park proposal would add several new forms of entertainment at this site, including slot gaming, an Olympic-scale equestrian center, a 3,000-seat show horse arena, and a major hotel and conference center.

According to an analysis conducted by the Innovation Group of New Orleans for the company, once the Racino at Canterbury Park is fully operational it is projected to generate the following economic benefits:

- At least $150 million in new state tax revenues each biennium (two year budget cycle) to the state of Minnesota;
- Approximately $2 million each year to local governments;
- 1,400 new Minnesota jobs; and
- An improved horse and agricultural industry due to a $12 to $14 million increase in annual purses.

Proposals to add slot and video gaming to Canterbury Park have been considered by the Minnesota Legislature several times since 1997, but Monday's vote represents the first time a bill has passed a legislative committee. However, the bill still requires a number of legislative approvals. The Racino legislation is likely to be reviewed by other House committees before being presented to the full House, and no committee in the Senate has yet scheduled the Racino bill for a hearing.

"We have taken the first step towards legislative approval of the Racino, but there is no assurance that this bill or any gaming bill will be enacted into law this year," cautioned Canterbury Park president, Randy Sampson. "Canterbury Park and our supporters will continue to work with legislators to make our case for how the Racino can create jobs and generate new tax revenues for Minnesota".