Instant Racing

Instant Racing, known generically as historical race wagering, is an electronic gambling system that allows players to bet on replays of horse races or dog races that have already been run.[1] Some Instant Racing terminals resemble slot machines.[2][3]

Instant Racing is a product of PariMax Holdings, a subsidiary of the Stronach Group.[4] A competing historical racing product is offered by Exacta Systems.[5]

Gameplay

Gameplay begins when a player deposits his wager, and a race is randomly selected from a video library of over 60,000 previous races.[6][7] Identifying information such as the location and date of the race, and the names of the horses and jockeys, is not shown.[7][8] The player is able to view "Skill Graph" charts from the Daily Racing Form,[6] showing information such as the jockeys' and trainers' winning percentages.[9] Based on this handicapping information, the player picks the projected order of finish.[6] Most players use the "handi helper" or "auto-cap" feature, which allows the machine to automatically make the selections on the player's behalf.[9][10]

Payouts are based on traditional pari-mutuel processes.[8] The player's wager is divvied up into several "betting pools" for different winning possibilities, such as picking the winner of the race, picking the top three finishers in exact order, or any of the three selections finishing first and second.[11] The machine then shows a replay of all or a portion of the race. If the player achieved a particular type of "win", he receives the money from that pool, while the money in each of the other pools continues to accumulate until another bettor wins it.[11]

Early versions of Instant Racing terminals closely resembled self-serve wagering terminals.[9] Later terminals began to mimic slot machines, with symbols on spinning reels corresponding to the results of the player's wager, and the video of the race occupying only a 2-inch square in the corner of the display.[9] Some versions show a computer-animated re-enactment of the race rather than a video.[12]

History

The idea of historical race wagering was conceived by Eric Jackson, general manager of Oaklawn Park. He brought the idea to three major companies in January 1997, but found no takers. Later in the year, he met with Ted Mudge, president of AmTote, who liked the idea and asked Jackson to present it to experts at a February 1998 racing industry gathering in Maryland. The project gathered momentum from there.[13] The Arkansas General Assembly took steps in 1999 to authorize Instant Racing by removing the requirement that simulcast races be shown live.[14] A test deployment was launched in January 2000 at Oaklawn Park and Southland Greyhound Park, with 50 machines at each track.[15] The machines proved popular and Jackson reported that as many as a dozen other tracks were pursuing approval to install the machines within two months of the test.[16]

The Oregon Racing Commission approved Instant Racing machines at the state's racetracks in April 2003.[17] Twenty units were installed at Multnomah Greyhound Park the next month. The terminals were moved to Portland Meadows in October.[18] They were removed in November 2003 at the direction of the tracks' parent company, Magna Entertainment.[18] The Commission in 2006 approved a request from Magna to bring the game back to Portland Meadows,[19] but then reversed itself a year later under pressure from Attorney General Hardy Myers, who believed the machines to be illegal.[20][21] The state enacted a new law legalizing Instant Racing in June 2013,[22] and the game was relaunched at Portland Meadows in February 2015.[23]

Instant Racing machines were installed at Wyoming's four off-track betting parlors beginning in July 2003,[24] after approval of the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission.[25] The machines' legality was soon called into question by the state Attorney General, and they were removed in 2005 following a court ruling.[26] The Wyoming Supreme Court ultimately ruled them illegal in 2006, calling the game "a slot machine that attempts to mimic traditional pari-mutuel wagering".[27] In 2013, the state legislature re-legalized Instant Racing.[28] By December 2016, machines were in operation at 14 betting parlors across the state.[29]

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission modified its definition of parimutuel wagering in July 2010 to allow Instant Racing, and at the same time asked a court to review whether the change was legal.[30] The court approved the changes and anti-gambling activists appealed the decision.[31][32] Kentucky Downs installed Instant Racing terminals in September 2011, Ellis Park followed suit a year later,[33] and the Red Mile opened a historical racing parlor in partnership with Keeneland in September 2015.[34] The anti-gambling activists' appeal reached the Kentucky Supreme Court, which ruled in February 2014 that the Horse Racing Commission could authorize parimutuel wagering on historical races, but remanded the case for further proceedings to determine whether the terminals meet the definition of parimutuel wagering.[35][36]

Nebraska has seen several attempts to legalize the machines. The Nebraska Legislature voted to authorize the machines in 2012, but the bill was vetoed by Governor Dave Heineman.[37] The legislature then approved a state constitutional amendment in 2014 to allow historical racing, but it was struck from the ballot by the Nebraska Supreme Court based on a technicality.[38] The state racing commission attempted in 2018 to approve the machines, but backed off after Attorney General Doug Peterson argued that the move was unconstitutional.[39]

The Idaho Legislature legalized Instant Racing in 2013,[40] and machines were soon installed at Les Bois Park, Greyhound Park, and the Double Down Bar & Grill in Idaho Falls.[41] State legislators then enacted a ban on the machines in early 2015, claiming they had been misled about the game's nature,[42] but the ban was vetoed by Governor Butch Otter.[43] However, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, which operates a casino that competes with the racetracks, successfully sued to invalidate Otter's veto, and the ban went into effect in September 2015, resulting in the shutdown of the state's historical racing parlors.[44][45] A ballot initiative to re-legalize the machines, Proposition 1, was rejected by voters in 2018.[46]

The Texas Racing Commission adopted rules in August 2014 to allow historical wagering at the state's horse and dog tracks.[47] However, in November 2014, a judge struck down the new rules, finding that historical wagering was a new type of wagering not authorized by existing statutes.[48][49] The decision was appealed, but the Commission, under strong pressure from state legislators, repealed the historical wagering rules before the appeal could be decided.[50]

Virginia enacted a law to allow historical wagering in April 2018, in an effort to make it economically viable to reopen the state's only horse track, Colonial Downs.[51] The racetrack's historical racing parlor opened in April 2019, with additional machines to follow at several off-track betting parlors around the state, branded as Rosie's Gaming Emporium.[52][53]

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References
  1. "Oaklawn Park starts expansion". Associated Press Newswires. April 17, 2008.
  2. Robyn L. Minor (March 16, 2012). "Kentucky Downs kicks off instant racing". The Daily News. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
  3. Gregory A. Hall (February 20, 2014). "Instant Racing opponents can continue fight, but ruling removes some arguments". The Courier Journal. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
  4. Frank Angst (October 16, 2016). "Stronach Group buys historical racing company". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  5. Janet Patton (December 1, 2016). "Ellis Park switching from Instant Racing games to Exacta Systems". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  6. Tom Bojarski (July 7, 2011). "Gone in an instant". Hoof Beats. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  7. "Kentucky Horse Racing Commission v. The Family Foundation of Kentucky, No. 10-CI-01154 (Franklin Cir. Ct., Div. II, Dec. 29, 2010)" (PDF). p. 9. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  8. Chuck Stinnett (February 26, 2014). "Ellis might ship off some of its Instant Racing machines". Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved 2014-06-18. (subscription required)
  9. Janet Patton (September 1, 2011). "On eve of instant racing's debut, Ky. Downs hopes for big payoff". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  10. Dave Solomon (May 25, 2019). "Charities want 'historic horse racing' machines at NH casinos". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved 2019-05-26.
  11. OAG 10-001: Instant Racing (Report). Kentucky Office of the Attorney General. January 5, 2010. pp. 2–4. Archived from the original on 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  12. Emma Gauthier (April 11, 2019). "Horse racing returns as gaming parlors open in Virginia". Associated Press. Retrieved 2019-05-26.
  13. Harry King (January 15, 2000). "Plan took shape in room on island". Associated Press Newswires.  – via Factiva (subscription required)
  14. "Act 10 of 1999" (PDF). Arkansas General Assembly. February 2, 1999. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  15. Harry King (January 14, 2000). "Track unveils new machines". Associated Press Newswires.  – via Factiva (subscription required)
  16. Harry King (March 28, 2000). "New version of machines is on the way". Associated Press Newswires.  – via Factiva (subscription required)
  17. "Instant racing to start at area racetracks". Associated Press Newswires. April 24, 2003.  – via Factiva (subscription required)
  18. Jeff Mapes (November 25, 2003). "Owner of Portland, Ore., racetracks scratches race-based video games". The Oregonian.  – via Factiva (subscription required)
  19. "Minutes, September 21, 2006" (PDF). Oregon Racing Commission. p. 21. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  20. "Magna considering future of live racing at Portland Meadows". Portland Business Journal. August 10, 2007. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  21. Janie Har (October 6, 2007). "Has horse racing run its course?". The Oregonian.  – via NewsBank (subscription required)
  22. Adam Worcester (July 12, 2013). "Struggling Portland Meadows battles to overcome the odds". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
  23. Andy Giegerich (February 11, 2015). "And they're off: Portland Meadows fans can now wager on old races". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
  24. Jennifer Frazer (October 25, 2005). "Poised for a comeback". Wyoming Tribune-Eagle.  – via NewsBank (subscription required)
  25. "Minutes of the July 11, 2003 meeting" (PDF). Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission. p. 2. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  26. "Businesses pull race machines". Billings Gazette. July 15, 2005. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  27. Ben Neary (May 3, 2006). "Wyoming Supreme Court rules against 'instant racing' machines". Billings Gazette. AP. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  28. Steve Luhm (March 9, 2013). "New law jump-starts horce racing at Wyoming Downs". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  29. James Chilton (December 15, 2016). "Wyoming's historic horse racing industry saw slow, steady recovery this year". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
  30. Will Graves (July 20, 2010). "Ky. begins move toward betting on re-shown races". USA Today. AP. Retrieved 2013-10-06.
  31. "Judge OKs plan to bet on re-shown races in Kentucky". Evansville Courier & Press. AP. December 29, 2010. Retrieved 2013-10-06.
  32. Robyn L. Minor (September 2, 2011). "Kentucky Downs kicks off instant racing". Bowling Green Daily News. Retrieved 2013-10-06.
  33. Chuck Stinnett (August 31, 2012). "Geary's dream of Instant Racing machines coming to life today at Ellis Park". Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved 2013-10-06.
  34. Janet Patton (September 17, 2015). "Red Mile's new gambling parlor opens; officials hope it will save the track". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
  35. Janet Patton (February 20, 2014). "Kentucky Supreme Court says instant racing can be regulated, doesn't rule on legality". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
  36. Appalachian Racing LLC v. Family Trust Foundation of Kentucky Inc. (Ky. 2014). Text
  37. JoAnne Young (April 9, 2012). "Governor vetoes historical horse racing bill". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 2019-05-26.
  38. Paul Hammel (September 5, 2014). "Nebraska Supreme Court tosses betting on historic horse races off the Nov. 4 ballot". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 2019-05-26.
  39. Steve Liewer (January 17, 2019). "Racing Commission puts off vote on adding 'historical' horse race machines at Fonner Park". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 2019-05-26.
  40. Betsy Z. Russell (March 21, 2014). "Some Idaho lawmakers feeling gamed over Greyhound Park 'Instant Racing'". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, WA. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  41. Jeff Selle (December 28, 2014). "Saddled with questions". The Coeur d' Alene Press. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
  42. Justin Corr (March 26, 2015). "Idaho instant horse racing ban awaits Otter's signature". KTVB-TV. Boise, ID. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
  43. "Coeur d'Alene Tribe takes betting machine battle to court". The Coeur d' Alene Press. AP. June 4, 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
  44. Betsy Z. Russell (September 11, 2015). "Idaho Supreme Court rejects Otter veto; 'instant racing' machines banned". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, WA. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
  45. Kimberlee Kruesi (September 11, 2015). "Track officials 'devastated' by ban on horse racing machines". Chicago Tribune. AP. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
  46. Cynthia Sewell; Audrey Dutton (November 6, 2018). "Idaho blocks historical horse racing measure". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2019-05-26.
  47. Anna M. Tinsley (August 29, 2014). "State officials approve historical racing in Texas". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved 2014-11-05.
  48. Aman Batheja (November 10, 2014). "Judge strikes down state plans for "historical racing"". Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  49. Annual Report 2015 (PDF) (Report). Texas Racing Commission. February 1, 2016. p. 17. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  50. Stephen Young (February 18, 2016). "Texas Racing Commission sets Texas horse racing on path to the glue factory". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  51. Michael Martz (April 9, 2018). "Northam signs legislation aimed at reopening Colonial Downs, ordering 'reasonable limitations on the proliferation of gaming in Virginia'". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  52. Rodrigo Arriaza (April 23, 2019). "Local officials, gaming fans welcome Rosie's to New Kent". The Virginia Gazette. Retrieved 2019-05-26.
  53. "Second Rosie's Gaming Emporium opens in advance of racing's return to Colonial Downs" (Press release). Colonial Downs Group. May 9, 2019. Retrieved 2019-05-26 – via Paulick Report.
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