North Dakota Commission Meeting Postponed

The North Dakota Racing Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, which was to include a decision on whether Racing Services would be renewed as the state's simulcasting provider, has been postponed. A decision to reschedule the meeting should be made Friday, a spokesperson said.

The postponement was made after Susan Bala, founder of Racing Services, was served with a federal indictment. She is charged with conspiracy to conduct an illegal gambling business and money laundering.

A spokesperson declined to specify the reason for the delay, but said "additional information has been brought before the commission, which will need to be looked into further." Paul Bowlinger, executive director of the commission, was not immediately available for comment.

Racing Services has been under state and federal investigation after it was revealed the company owed $6.5 million in gaming taxes. A court-appointed receiver was put in place to manage Racing Services and Bala was subsequently removed from day-to-day operations at the request of the state Attorney General.

Lien Games, a North Dakota distributor of pull-tabs and other gaming services, has also applied for a simulcasting license.