Lawmakers bristle at including ‘instant racing’ in purview of proposed new gaming commission

Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, asked Rep. Christy Perry, R-Nampa, “I’m frankly concerned about the insertion on Page 2 of ‘instant racing.’ I’ve never voted for or supported instant racing, that’s not in our code right now. So can you explain why that is being put in this bill?” It’s in HB 279, the bill to create a new state Gaming Commission, that Perry is presenting to the committee this morning.

Perry responded, “I had decided maybe we should, only because through the media and all the discussions we’ve had I’ve heard that term … but I’m also perfectly happy to take it out.”

Rep. Elaine Smith, D-Pocatello, said, “We rejected a rule in 2014 because it used the term ‘instant racing,’ and all of a sudden it’s back. I have extreme problems with the words ‘instant racing.’ So why was it put in to codify?”

Perry told her, “It actually only came from me because I had heard the term in the media and those sorts of things. I am more than happy to take it out.”