House passes off-track betting bill

The House has voted 40-29 in favor of HB 191, the off-track simulcast betting bill, which would allow the eight small horse race tracks in Idaho to move their current licenses for betting on simulcasts of live races to a facility other than the track itself. County commissioners and state racing officials would have to sign off on the moves, and no more than one could end up in a single county. Among opponents was Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, who said, “I want to make it clear that this will expand gambling in the state of Idaho, however you want to cast this particular piece of legislation.” Acting Rep. Gayle Batt, R-Wilder, disagreed. “This does not broaden the scope of the racing, just where it occurs,” she said. “They need to do this in order to keep the racing industry alive here in Idaho.”

Rep. Carlos Bilabo, R-Emmett, said, “Several of these facilities, such as Emmett do not have a facility suited for simulcasting.” Representatives from his local fairgrounds told an earlier committee hearing that a cold, drafty 4-H building didn’t turn out to be a suitable place for simulcast betting; possible alternative sites include a local sports bar or even an out-of-county spot. The simulcast betting would benefit purses for live races at the local racetracks. “I think this is a bill that is good for the counties and good for the licensee,” Bilabo said, “and for the horse industry, it’s exceptional.” The bill now moves to  the Senate.”