A Minnesota House committee was poised last week to clear a measure for floor vote that would ban historical horse racing (HHR) machines approved by the Minnesota Racing Commission two weeks ago.
Historical horse racing machines use past horse racing results as the basis for slot-like machines that replicate the themes of casino slot machines. First developed in Kentucky, the machines have been added in several states as a way to prop up traditional racing by enriching purses. Many tracks have survived amid casino competition by adding the machines.
The state’s two racetracks, Canterbury Park and Running Aces, petitioned the racing commission to add 500 HHR games at each track. The commission approved the petition at the beginning of April, with the machines set to go live May 21.
Last week, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community filed a petition with the state Court of Appeals seeking to block the commission’s approval of the games. Lawyers for the tribe argue the commission lacked authority to approve the games.
Minnesota lawmakers quickly supported the tribe’s position, filing a bill that would explicitly ban the machines.
“I think the Racing Commission took an unlawful action last week, and this bill reverses that,” said Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, as he introduced his bill to the House Commerce Committee, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Racing industry supporters responded by protesting with a live horse on the steps of the state Capitol—Numbered Account, an 8-year-old harness racing horse who has earned $250,000 in his career around the country, including at Running Aces.
