Texas gave historic racing machines the OK, while Nebraska is letting the voters decide.
The Texas Racing Commission recently voted to allow betting on historical racing, also called instant racing, at the state’s four horseracing and three dog racing tracks. The machines, which look similar to slot machines, allow bettors to wager on races that have already happened, without providing any identifying information regarding, time, place or winners.
The commission must approve each racetrack’s specific plans for adding the machines.
Track owners have long lobbied lawmakers for the machines, which they consider a critical source of revenue for their struggling industry. Anti-gambling groups have said the racing commission has no jurisdiction in the matter.
In Nebraska, legislation that would allow historic racing is now before the state Supreme Court. Historic racing permits bettors to wager on previously run horse races on video screens. The races, if approved, would be offered at the state’s five licensed racetracks.
According to the Associated Press, an attorney for Omaha anti-gambling activist Pat Loontjer asked the court to keep the measure off the November ballot. But a state lawyer defended it as constitutional. The seven-member court will likely rule before September 12, the deadline to certify it for the ballot, the AP reported.
Lawmakers approved the constitutional amendment for the ballot in April with 30 votes, the narrowest margin possible to put the issue before voters.
