Instant Racing Gets OK for Use at Wyoming Facilities

Instant Racing, launched in Arkansas three years ago, was approved for use at pari-mutuel facilities by the Wyoming Racing Commission July 11. The devices, which resemble video lottery terminals but are linked to pari-mutuel pools, will first be installed at an off-track betting parlor operated by Wyoming Downs.

In April, the Oregon Racing Commission approved installation of the machines at Portland Meadows and Multnomah Greyhound Park.

"This has shaped up to be quite a year for us," said Louis Cella, a principal in RaceTech, the company that developed Instant Racing. "It's a big announcement for a lot of people, especially since we will be commingling Instant Racing in three different states all day, everyday."

The machines are linked in order to generate large common pools and subsequent jackpots. The more machines, the better chance for a big jackpot.

Last year, Instant Racing generated almost $30 million in handle and $500,000 for purses at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas. Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis, Ark., also has the machines.

Multnomah installed 20 machines in May, while Portland Meadows will install machines this fall.

"We are already seeing the benefits of Instant Racing at our facility, and we have only had them in place for less than three months," said Jeff Grady, general manager at Magna Entertainment Corp.-operated Multnomah. "Our initial order was for 20 machines, and we know that we're going to need more machines and more space to install them."

So far this year, Instant Racing handle is up 57% from last year, Cella said.