The Illinois Racing Board recently submitted to state authorities draft rules allowing racetracks to offer historical racing, commencing a 45-day comment period. Following that, the wording could be revised and the rules would be sent to a legislative commission that could approve or reject them. Still, historical racing could face legal challenges by existing gambling facilities and/or anti-gambling groups.
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association has said the rules are vague regarding splitting revenue between purses and track owners. Also, the group questions the language that defines what races can be used in the terminals. The current wording says such races must have been “previously conducted by an Illinois Organization licensee.” The ITHA wants a statement declaring those races must have occurred in Illinois. ITHA Executive Director Dave McCaffrey said, “They could argue that showing a simulcast of a Saratoga race would make the race fit the current definition. It’s vague enough that it’s open to interpretation.”
At issue is that revenue generated from Illinois-run races and shown on historical racing terminals would count in a formula that determines the overall annual revenue split between purses and track ownership. Millions of dollars could be redirected from the tracks to purse accounts annually, the horsemen’s group stated. Revenue from races run outside Illinois and used for historical racing machines would not apply to the equation.
Also, the ITHA wants to know which expenses tracks would be allowed to take off the top from historical racing machine revenue, plus a formal commitment that they could schedule additional racing dates if historical racing machines boost racing revenue. McCaffrey said if those issues are resolved to their satisfaction, horsemen would support the proposal.
Officials at Hawthorne Race Course and Fairmount Park support the proposal. Arlington International Racecourse said it is neutral, awaiting the legislature’s approval of broader expanded gambling in Illinois.
