Thursday, February 15, 2007

Under current North Dakota law, a race is defined as a live event where
horses run to see who comes in first. And it's going to stay that way. On
Monday, the state House defeated a measure that would have expanded the
definition to include horse races run on a prior date. The North Dakota
Horse Park in Fargo wanted the definition change so it could install
computers that allow patrons to wager on previously run horse races. The
computers work by presenting patrons enough information to make an informed
bet on a previously run race but not enough to identify the race - and its
resulT - before betting. After patrons place their bet, they watch a video
of the horse race and win or lose money just as they would when betting on a
live horse race. Historical race games are currently in use at Oaklawn Park
in Hot Springs, Ark., and has been a financial success there. In North
Dakota, debate over the computers centered on whether they represent an
expansion of gambling to the state. Supporters of the computers say they
could help the park expand its offerings and increase its revenue, without
expanding gambling. "These are not any different than what you are doing
when you're watching a live horse race," said Rep. Shirley Meyer,
D-Dickinson. Rep. Randy Boehning, R-Fargo, said the computers are necessary
for North Dakota to stay competitive with what other states are offering.
"This isn't just a fad. It's reality," Boehning said. To opponents, the new
machines represented an expansion of gambling in the state. Rep. Joyce
Kingsbury, R-Grafton, said it would lead to "more gambling in a shorter
period of time," and more of the problems associated with such activity.
Rep. Lawrence Klemin, R-Bismarck, worried it could lead to the proliferation
of betting facilities. "I think this is a gigantic expansion of gaming," he
said. "I don't want to see racinos all over the state."