Alternative Gaming

Illinois Bill Calls for 3,200 Slots at Five Racetracks

• By Bob Kieckhefer
• May 8, 2003

A key Illinois lawmaker has unveiled comprehensive gaming legislation that would authorize 3,200 slot machines for Illinois racetracks.

Breeds See Breeding Splits Differently in Pennsylvania

• By Tom LaMarra
• May 7, 2003
• Thoroughbred Breeding

The Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association has put its support behind legislation that would give horsemen 25% of gross revenue from racetrack slot machines. Meanwhile, a prominent Standardbred breeder told members of a Senate Finance Committee May 6 breeders won't receive enough revenue under splits contained in two slots bills that have been introduced.

New York Deal Includes Other Pari-Mutuel Provisions

• By Tom Precious
• April 29, 2003

A deal to bring video lottery terminals to New York racetracks with an increased slice of the pie for track operators includes other provisions, including removal of restrictions on pari-mutuel takeout. The VLT deal is expected to bring the state $165 million this year, legislative sources said.

New York VLT Deal Near; OTBs Considered

• By Tom Precious
• April 29, 2003

A deal to entice New York racetracks to install video lottery terminals was close the evening of April 28, but officials acknowledged a side deal is being hammered out to bring VLTs to the state's off-track betting parlors.

Racing Relief Package Offered by Michigan Lawmaker

• April 28, 2003

Another legislative package that would bring video gaming to Michigan racetracks has been launched in the state House. And while circumstances point to this attempt as having the best chance yet of becoming law, lurking in the corner is the 600-pound gorilla of the Michigan gaming industry--the Detroit casino lobby--ready to quash any infringement upon its territory.

Instant Racing Approved for Oregon Racetracks

• April 25, 2003

Instant Racing, a pari-mutuel video lottery game currently offered at racetracks in Arkansas, has been approved by the Oregon Racing Commission for use at the state's racetracks. Oregon is the second state to approve the devices.

Survey: Majority Support Racino at Canterbury Park

• April 24, 2003

A survey of Minnesota residents indicates 70% support a plan to open a racino at Canterbury Park as a means to raise revenue for the state budget.

Slots Revenue on Table at Pennsylvania Hearings

• By Linda Dougherty
• April 23, 2003

The first of three hearings on slot machines at racetracks in Pennsylvania was held by the Senate Finance Committee April 22. The hearing was highlighted by comments from Sen. Robert Tomlinson, who said he would make some changes to the bill he introduced that has the support of racetrack operators in the state.

Delaware Park Ready for Lucrative Racing Season

• By Tom LaMarra
• April 22, 2003
• Thoroughbred Racing

Delaware Park will kick off its more than six-month racing season April 26 with the $75,000 Legal Light Stakes, one of 30 major events on the stakes calendar. The highlight is the $750,000 Delaware Handicap, a grade II race set for July 20.

Maryland Racetrack Slots May Come Up Again in 2004

• April 18, 2003

Racetrack slot machines ran into many roadblocks during the Maryland legislative session this year, but some lawmakers said the issue will come up again in 2004, and that it has a good chance to pass.

NYRA Chief: VLT Revenue for Racing Poised to Grow

• By Tom Precious
• April 17, 2003

New York is poised to give a greater share of video lottery terminal revenue to racetracks and at the same time add more to education, New York Racing Association chairman Barry Schwartz said April 18.

Philly Park Gets Preliminary OK for Slots Facility

• By Linda Dougherty
• April 16, 2003

The Bensalem, Pa., Township Council gave preliminary approval April 15 to Philadelphia Park for construction of a 149,000-square-foot temporary building that's expected to house 3,000 slot machines should legislation pass.

Philly Park's Proposed Slots Facility Up for Approval

• By Linda Dougherty
• April 14, 2003

Though racetrack slot machines still haven't been approved by the Pennsylvania legislature, the Bensalem Township Council is scheduled to vote April 14 on Philadelphia Park's plans for a building to house the machines.

Growth Seen in Support for Racetrack VLTs in Texas

• By Tom LaMarra
• April 11, 2003

Officials in Texas said support for racetrack gaming continues to grow in state government and in communities with pari-mutuel facilities.

Racetrack VLT Proposal in Ohio House Budget

• April 10, 2003

The Ohio House of Representatives April 9 passed a t wo-year budget that opens the door for a public vote on video lottery terminals at Ohio's seven racetracks.

New Jersey Poll Shows Support for Racetrack Gaming

• By Linda Dougherty
• April 9, 2003

A Quinnipiac University Poll released April 2 indicates support for the addition of video lottery terminals and/or slot machines at state racetracks, both as a tool for balancing the state budget and to help the state's struggling horse racing industry.

Officials Say No Gaming at New York OTB Parlors

• By Tom Precious
• April 7, 2003

Top government officials have shot down reports New York City Off Track Betting Corp. may be in line to get video lottery terminals for its betting parlors.

Proposal Puts Racetrack VLTs on Ohio Ballot

• April 4, 2003

The issue of video lottery terminals at Ohio racetracks is again being discussed in the Ohio General Assembly. The latest proposal would put the question up for public vote later this year.

Lawmaker: Maryland Slots Bill Won't Clear Committee

• April 2, 2003

A proposal for racetrack slot machines is up for a vote in Maryland April 2, but a key legislator said the measure would fail.

Senate Committee Approves Slots for Fair Grounds

• April 2, 2003

A Louisiana Senate committee April 1 approved slot machines for Fair Grounds in New Orleans. The measure, which passed on a 4-2 vote, now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

OTBO: Members, Tracks Must Step Up to the Plate

• By Tom LaMarra
• March 31, 2003

The Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners has issued a serious call to the state's racing and breeding industry as it pushes for alternative gaming: Nothing will be accomplished without a strong grass-roots campaign, and should gaming be approved, track operators must invest revenue to promote horse racing and revitalize aging facilities.

Texas Legislation Calls for VLTs at 10 Racetracks

• March 20, 2003

Texas Sen. Ken Armbrister recently filed a bill to legalize video lottery terminals at the 10 licensed horse and dog racetracks in the state. The legislation apparently cames in response to pleas for alternative gaming at tracks from the Texas Horsemen's Partnership, the Texas Racing Agri-Industry Council, and the Texas Thoroughbred Association.

Top New York Legislator Does Not Support Pataki's VLT Proposal

• By Tom Precious
• March 19, 2003

With video lottery terminals suddenly emerging as an item in state budget talks, the top Republican in the state Legislature said he cannot support a controversial video lottery terminal bill proposed by his fellow Republican, Gov. George Pataki.

As Boycott Ends, Illinois Racing Hopes for Assistance

• By Bob Kieckhefer
• March 17, 2003

Illinois harness horsemen have ended a 2 1/2-month entry-box boycott with a deal that makes new state-authorized funding for all Illinois racing interests even more vital.

Horse Racing Has Good Chance...But There Are Catches

• By Tom LaMarra
• March 14, 2003

The horse racing industry should be pretty healthy 20 years from now -- if it properly embraces technology, expanded wagering opportunities, alternative gaming, and the breeding side of business remains vital, top racetrack officials said March 14.

Horsemen, Breeders: Not All Support Pennsylvania Bill

• By Tom LaMarra
• March 7, 2003

Organizations that represent Thoroughbred horsemen in Pennsylvania have voiced opposition to racetrack gaming legislation because the return to purses and breed development is insufficient in their view.

Horsemen Oppose Slots Bill; Track Calls It Greed

• By Linda Dougherty
• March 6, 2003

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association is opposed to a racetrack gaming bill that would award 15% of gross revenue to purses and 1% to breed development. Meanwhile, an official at Philadelphia Park said he can't understand the horsemen's position.

Officials Want Law to Keep Preakness in Baltimore

• March 6, 2003

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley and former mayor William Donald Schaefer have urged lawmakers to pass legislation to ensure the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course remains in Baltimore.

West Virginia Consolidation Plan to 'Interim Study'

• By Tom LaMarra
• March 6, 2003

A consolidation plan that would make the West Virginia Racing Commission part of a broader Gambling Commission is headed to "interim study," said a representative of one organization that has expressed concern over the proposal.

Hawthorne Kicks Off Season With Strong Numbers

• By Bob Kieckhefer
• March 3, 2003

Consolidation came to Illinois racing with a financial question mark on the first day of March as National Jockey Club opened its winter-spring meet at Hawthorne Race Course.

Pennsy Bill: 21.5% of Slots Revenue for Purses

• By Linda Dougherty
• February 28, 2003

Purse accounts at Pennsylvania racetracks would earn 21.5% of gross revenue from track-based slot machines under legislation introduced Feb. 26 by Sen. Robert Tomlinson, whose district includes Philadelphia Park.

Kentucky Industry Looks to 2004 for Track Gaming

• By Tom LaMarra
• February 28, 2003

With legislation to authorize racetrack gaming apparently dead during the current legislative session in Kentucky, the racing industry is expected to begin another campaign well before the 2004 session begins.

Kentucky Committee Takes More Time on Gaming Bill

• By Tom LaMarra
• February 20, 2003

Kentucky racetrack operators made their case Feb. 21 for the right to operate electronic gaming devices, but the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee postponed action on the legislation pending review of how the state's share of revenue would be spent.

Indiana Bills Could Greatly Impact Racing Industry

• February 20, 2003

Three pieces of legislation that would directly impact Indiana's horse racing industry are making their way through the General Assembly.

Louisiana Downs Gets OK to Install Slot Machines

• February 19, 2003

The Louisiana State Gaming Control Board gave its approval Feb. 18 for Harrah's Entertainment to operate slot machines at Louisiana Downs.

Kentucky Racetrack Gaming Bills Back With a Twist

• By Tom LaMarra
• February 19, 2003

Legislation to authorize electronic gaming devices at Kentucky racetracks was introduced Feb. 18 with a new twist: The tracks have offered to pay hundreds of millions of dollars up front to help the state tackle its lingering budget crisis as long as they get exclusive rights to gaming in the marketplace.

Push for Maryland Racetrack Slots Has Obstacles

• By Tom Keyser
• February 19, 2003

With the 90-day session of the General Assembly at its midpoint, the effort to legalize slot machines at Maryland racetracks has bogged down. Gov. Robert Ehrlich Jr. has gone back to the drawing board with his proposal which had, incredibly, angered nearly everyone.

Delaware Bill Calls for Expanded VLT Gaming

• By Tom LaMarra
• February 12, 2003

A Delaware legislator has introduced a bill that calls for expansion of video gaming to "qualified entertaiment zones" along the Delaware River. Currently, only three racetracks in the state--Delaware Park, Dover Downs, and Harrington Raceway--are permitted to have video lottery terminals.

Pari-Mutuel Pull-Tab Proposal in Indiana Lacks Unanimity

• February 7, 2003

Legislation to legalize pari-mutuel pull-tabs could mean solid footing for Churchill Downs-owned Hoosier Park and upstart Indiana Downs, all interest groups in Indiana are not in agreement at how the bill is structured.

Proposed New York VLT Plan: More to Purses, Tracks

• By Tom Precious
• February 5, 2003

The head of the New York Senate racing committee is pressing a new video lottery terminal plan that would give more money to racetracks and purses by giving back less in winnings to bettors.

New Jersey Panel to Study VLT Feasibility

• By Linda Dougherty
• February 5, 2003

New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey has announced the creation of a Video Lottery Study Commission that will investigate the feasibility of video lottery terminals at racetracks and give him written recommendations in 90 days.

New Jersey VLTs: On The Table Once Again?

• By Linda Dougherty
• February 3, 2003

One week after a spokesperson for New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey said a bill to legalize video lottery terminals at state racetracks was off the table, the issue apparently is back on.

Maryland Proposal: Up to 16,000 Racetrack Slots

• January 22, 2003

Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich Jr. will propose 13,500 slot machines for three racetracks in time to generate $600 million in state tax revenue in two years, legislative sources told the Baltimore Sun.

NJSEA Boss: Industry Will Work to Find Answers

• By Linda Dougherty
• January 22, 2003

In response to a statement by an official with Gov. Jim McGreevey's administration that a proposal to place video lottery terminals at Meadowlands "is very unlikely," the head of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority said other avenues will be explored in order to keep the state's racing industry viable.

West Virginia Eyes Consolidation of Gambling Panels

• January 14, 2003

West Virginia has joined Washington as states planning to consolidate government functions and make the racing commission part of a broader gambling commission.

Meeker Calls for Regulatory Consistency, Racetrack Gaming

• By Scott Davis
• January 11, 2003

Churchill Downs Inc. president Tom Meeker addressed the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States Jan. 11 with calls for regulatory consistency across jurisdictions and support for expanding racetrack gambling.

Bankruptcy Filing Keeps New York Track's Hopes Alive

• By Tom Precious
• January 10, 2003

The owner of a long-shuttered New York racetrack slated to reopen to tap into the state's video lottery terminal program has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Panel to Decide Fate of Pennsylvania Track Plan

• January 8, 2003

The fate of Chester Downs and Marina, a Standardbred racetrack and entertainment center planned for southeast Pennsylvania, could be determined Jan. 9 when the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission meets to rule on the license application.

New Racetrack Gaming Bill Proposed for Kentucky

• January 8, 2003

A Kentucky legislator plans to introduce a bill for racetrack-based gaming, but he said the state might have to look to casino gambling at locations other than tracks in the future.

Bid for Ohio Racetrack Raises Rival's Eyebrows

• December 27, 2002

The owner of Beulah Park in Grove City, Ohio, said he is surprised at the bid made for the purchase of neighboring Scioto Downs.