Birmingham Race Course in Alabama recently installed 301 historical racing machines and could offer more, according to customer demand. The games are legal, said state Attorney General Steve Marshall, providing they comply with existing opinions from his office, which were issued in 2017 and 2019 and based on previous AG opinions in 2001 and 2009.
Birmingham Racing Commission Executive Director Kip Keefer stated that the law is “very clear. Historical racing was first reviewed by Attorney General Bill Pryor who further established these games as legal under Alabama law. All other AG opinions since that time have simply upheld the opinion of AG Pryor since the laws have not been changed.”
Keefer added, “This is a brand-new way to have the racing product in an entertaining and exciting atmosphere.”
Birmingham Race Course President Lewis Benefield said, “We wanted to make sure that everything was legal and no one had any questions. We talked to everyone who could possibly have an interest in what we’re doing and explained the games and what’s going on here.”
The track’s attorney, David Johnston, said the games are no different from the bets placed in every day on horseraces simulcast from other parts of the country.
“They’ve been looking at this concept for several years. My understanding was that they were waiting on a concept that was attractive. The entertainment displays are strictly graphic. You have the ability to exercise skill in handicapping. You’re betting on the horse race that’s run, whether you’re watching the race or not,” Johnston said.
Tim Yelton, vice president of sales and business development for historical racing machine manufacturer AmTote International, stated, “You’ve already got betting on simulcasts. This will bring in new patrons, and open things up to being an entertainment destination.”
Benefield noted greyhound races still are held at the track every day and simulcast internationally. “We have a very strong Asia market. We make more money off the signal we send out than we bring in from bets here,” he said.
Since the track opened in March 1987 as the $85 million Birmingham Turf Club, a thoroughbred horseracing track, it’s paid more than $120 million in taxes and $55 million in contributions to education, the community and charitable organizations. In 1992, the same year the late Milton McGregor purchased the property, voters approved a referendum allowing greyhound racing. Horseracing ended at the venue in 1995. The facility employs 350 people and still is run by the McGregor family.
