The Nebraska Racing Commission recently put off voting on allowing historical racing machines at Fonner Park in Grand Island. Commissioners met in October and voted in October to allow the machines, but they rescinded that vote after Attorney General Doug Peterson said the meeting violated open meeting rules. He added the commission did not have the authority to allow the machines.
Assistant Attorney General Laura Nigro stated, “As much as the commission wants to approve historic horseracing, it cannot. That must be decided by the legislature or the people of Nebraska.”
Fonner Park attorney Dan Waters said according to Nebraska statute, which authorizes the commission to regulate parimutuel betting, the commission does have the authority to approve historic horseracing. “We’re asking you to look at only what the law says you can do today,” he said. Fonner Park’s season runs 31 days, from February 22 to May 4.
At the October meeting, representatives from the horseracing industry pleaded for historic horseracing as a way to help racetracks, breeders and other interested parties. Omaha Exposition and Racing Executive Director Mike Newlin said, “I support anything that can help out the industry. Omaha, in particular, is facing four casinos in our front yard.”
Gambling opponent Nate Grasz, policy director for the Nebraska Family Alliance, said historic racing machines “are systematically designed to prey on an explicit weakness and addiction.”
Commission Chairman Dennis Lee said the group will take written comments until February 1, then schedule another meeting to determine if the machines will be allowed.
