In Idaho, Proposition 1 will appear on the November 6 ballot, allowing voters to determine if historical horseracing machines will be legalized. The state legislature approved a measure legalizing the games in 2013 but it was repealed in 2015.
Idaho United Against Prop 1 Chairman Ken Andrus said, “The problem that we have with the proposition is that it is misleading to the people. The proponents are touting this as an education measure, a jobs measure and to restore horse racing.” Andrus said Prop 1 is merely a way to unconstitutionally expand gambling in Idaho.
Todd Dvorak, spokesman for the pro-Prop1 group Save Idaho Horse Racing said the measure would revive the state’s horseracing industry and boost the economy. He said Prop 1 would legalize a “limited, restricted and transparent form of gaming.” Terminals would be allowed at “any facility located with the grounds or enclosure where live and/or simulcast horse racing is conducted and where at least eight live horse race days are conducted annually.”
Dvorak noted prior to their repeal, in 2015 historical racing raised $600,000 for public schools. “When we say in our campaign message to voters that this means millions for public schools, we are talking about over an accumulation of years this would mean millions of dollars going to public schools if Proposition 1 passes,” Dvorak said.
He added revenue generated by the historical racing machines helped the state’s live horseracing industry. After the 2015 season, Les Bois Park in Boise closed indefinitely and smaller tracks have run fewer races. The terminals had been located at Les Bois Park, Sandy Downs in Idaho Falls and Greyhound Park in Post Falls. “The wagering was helping to support the industry. You had tracks that were taking revenue from the betting, putting it back into operations at the track, making the track look great, upkeep, drawing fans with competitive racing and healthy purses. Over time, Americans who enjoy betting have found other places to put their money.”
Andrus said the measure could lead to Idaho “proliferated” with the machines, which, he said, “look like slot machines, act like slot machines and people use them like casino slot machines.” As a former state legislator when the games were allowed, Andrus said lawmakers believed the terminals violated the Idaho constitution, “strictly prohibits” gambling except for the state lottery, bingo and raffle games and parimutuel betting. He said historical racing machines don’t qualify, citing a subsection of the constitution that states, “No activities permitted by subsection 1 shall employ any form of casino gambling, including but not limited to, blackjack, craps, slot machines, or employ any electronic or electromechanical imitation or simulation of any form of casino gambling.”
Andrus said if Prop 1 passes, his group will appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court.
