SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The Illinois horse racing industry on Wednesday announced a plan it hopes will save its 2014 racing schedule and includes a surcharge on wagers.
The plan that must be approved by the Legislature and is backed by the racing industry also would extend the online betting law for three years.
Legislation allowing online betting on horse racing expires in January. Race dates at Illinois racetracks would be severely cut if lawmakers don’t take action to renew the betting law and give the state’s racing board access to the money wagering generates.
The issue could come up again when the General Assembly reconvenes in January. It also could be rolled into a debate over a larger gambling expansion package. Horse racing advocates pin the long-term future of the industry on allowing slot machines at racetracks, in order to compete with Illinois casinos and out-of-state tracks that allow slots.
Tony Petrillo, general manager of Arlington International Racecourse, said in a statement that extending the online wagering law is “critical to the success of the state’s horse racing industry.”
Glen Berman, executive director of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, said the agreement wasn’t perfect, but serves as a linchpin until a more permanent solution is found.
“Hopefully it keeps this industry intact, allows the thousands of workers at the racetracks to save their jobs and keeps horsemen from leaving the state or leaving the business altogether while we continue to work on the real solution for Illinois racing, which is gaming at our race tracks to supplement purses,” Berman said.
Racing board officials and representatives from the state’s racetracks have spent months lobbying lawmakers.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
