A judge in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has ruled that historical horse racing (HHR), machines that use historical race results as data in a slot-like format, are illegal under the state’s constitution.
HHR, legalized three years ago in Louisiana, has grown to around 630 machines at 17 off-track betting parlors across the state.
According to a report in NOLA.com, “video poker interests” sued the state after Churchill Downs announced it was doubling its number of HHRs in operation.
Last week, Judge Richard (Chip) Moore held for the plaintiffs, ruling that the machines constituted an expansion of gambling not permitted under the state constitution, which requires voter approval of any such expansion.
“No historical horse racing may be conducted in any parish of this state unless and until voters in that parish where historical horse racing is to be conducted approve such gaming by a majority vote” under the Constitution, Moore wrote in his decision.
The ruling allows the machines to continue operating while the decision is appealed.
