Casinos At Tracks Get Study Money Budget Sent To Locke Includes Funding To Measure Impact

Wed., March 18, 1998

Associated Press

A single sentence in the budget bill awaiting action by Gov. Gary Locke could nudge the state toward allowing casinos at Washington’s three thoroughbred horse-racing tracks.

The appropriation for the state Horse Racing Commission orders the panel to study how such casinos would affect the tracks and the horse racing and breeding industries. Locke, who has the authority to veto sections of the budget bill, must act by April 4.

Awaiting action on Locke’s desk is a bill to reduce the pari-mutuel tax paid by Emerald Downs, Playfair in Spokane and Yakima Meadows.

Rep. Jim Clements, a Selah Republican and former horse breeder, said he pushed for the study at the urging of the horse-racing industry.

Despite the opening of Emerald Downs in Auburn in 1996, he said, the industry has struggled from increased competition from other forms of gambling, especially tribal casinos.

“We have casinos around every track,” Clements told The News Tribune of Tacoma. “Those who say there’s no impact ought to talk to the people who run the tracks.”

Legal gambling in Washington has grown from $663 million wagered in 1983 to $1.7 billion in 1996, according to the state Gambling Commission. But horse racing’s share has fallen from $212 million to $144 million over the same period.

Both the study and its possible conclusion face opposition.

Senate Ways and Means Chairman James West, R-Spokane, said he agreed to allow the language in the final spending plan but will ask Locke to veto it. “I don’t think tracks should have casinos,” he said.

Rep. Velma Veloria, D-Seattle, said she is soliciting signatures from other House members requesting that the governor remove the study from the budget bill due to concerns about the impact on Indian tribes.

Also asking for a veto of the budget section is the Spokane Tribe, which sees the study as another attempt to cut into tribal gambling.

Legislators have passed laws in the last two sessions to help nontribal cardrooms and the horse tracks. Last year, the Legislature allowed cardrooms to serve as the banker for blackjack games. It also allowed the three horse tracks to import and take bets on races from around the country.

Barbara Shinpoch, chairwoman of the Horse Racing Commission, said she was surprised at the study, saying the commission has very little staff to conduct it. Besides, she said, horse racing should stick to horses.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.