The Oregon Racing Commission on Thursday took a first step toward denying a proposal to allow casino-like gambling in Grants Pass, which proponents said was vital to support horse racing in the city.
The racing commission approved a convoluted motion, directing the agency’s staff to work with the Oregon Department of Justice to develop a notice of intent to deny the plan. The Justice Department issued an opinion earlier this month that the operation would be illegal under state law.
The denial could kill commercial racing at the Grants Pass Downs track, according to the track’s billionaire owner, Dutch Bros co-founder Travis Boersma, and result in more than 200 people losing their jobs.
