{{Short description|Electronic gambling device}} [[File:Historical horse racing machines at The Rose.jpg|thumb|Historical horse racing machines at The Rose Gaming Resort in Virginia, which resemble traditional slot machines.]] '''Historical horse racing''' ('''HHR'''), also known as '''Instant Racing''', is a type of electronic gambling machine. HHR machines allow players to wager on replays of horse races or dog races that have already been run, paid out using the parimutuel betting system.
Initially, the machines resembled self-serve wagering terminals, with players provided with odds, statistics, and handicapping information regarding a randomly-selected race, but with identifying information removed. After placing a wager, video or an animated re-creation of the race results were shown. The majority of current HHR machines resemble slot machines in appearance and operation, with the reels used as an entertainment display to correspond with the results and payout (not unlike "Class II" games found at tribal casinos), the race itself heavily downplayed within the user interface, and "auto-cap" functions offered for players to automatically divide a wager between the horses.
HHR machines were first introduced in 2000 in the state of Arkansas, with the concept having since been extended to several other U.S. states, and expanded outside the U.S. for the first time in 2024. These games are typically employed in jurisdictions that allow parimutuel betting, but do not allow traditional slot machines based on random number generators. A portion of the games' revenue is typically directed to racing purses, which has been credited with revitalizing the declining sport of horse racing in some markets.<ref name="marquez">{{cite news|title=Like a Tremendous Machine|work=Global Gaming Business Magazine|author=Jess Marquez|date=September 16, 2024|url=https://ggbmagazine.com/article/like-a-tremendous-machine/|access-date=2025-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sanborn casino sale saga highlights value of HHR for small markets|work=iGaming Business|author=Jess Marquez|date=December 12, 2024|url=https://igamingbusiness.com/casino-games/sanborn-hhr-licence/|access-date=2025-03-09}}</ref>
In some jurisdictions, historical horse racing has faced resistance from state legislatures as a novel type of gaming not fully covered under existing law, and disputes over whether modern HHR machines' abstraction of betting functionality away from the player makes them imperceptible from slot machines. Some Native American tribes have argued that HHR infringed on their rights to offer tribal gaming.
==Gameplay== In the earliest incarnations of Instant Racing machines, gameplay begins when a player deposits their wager, and a race is randomly selected from a video library of over 60,000 previous races.<ref name=bojarski>{{cite news|title=Gone in an instant|newspaper=Hoof Beats|author=Tom Bojarski|date=July 7, 2011|url=http://xwebapp.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/templates/hoofbeats_blog.aspx?articleid=43406&zoneid=75|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033134/http://xwebapp.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/templates/hoofbeats_blog.aspx?articleid=43406&zoneid=75|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2016|access-date=2013-10-13}}</ref><ref name=franklin>{{cite web|title=Kentucky Horse Racing Commission v. The Family Foundation of Kentucky, No. 10-CI-01154 (Franklin Cir. Ct., Div. II, Dec. 29, 2010)|url=http://media.kentucky.com/smedia/2010/12/29/15/fixedinstantracing.source.prod_affiliate.79.pdf|page=9|access-date=2013-10-13|archive-date=2013-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017100819/http://media.kentucky.com/smedia/2010/12/29/15/fixedinstantracing.source.prod_affiliate.79.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Identifying information such as the location and date of the race, and the names of the horses and jockeys, is not shown.<ref name=franklin /><ref name=courierpress>{{cite web|url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/2014/feb/26/ellis-park-selling-portion-its-instant-racing-mach/|title=Ellis might ship off some of its Instant Racing machines|author=Chuck Stinnett|publisher=Evansville Courier & Press|date=February 26, 2014|access-date=2014-06-18}} {{subscription required}}</ref> The player is able to view "Skill Graph" charts from the Daily Racing Form,<ref name=bojarski/> showing information such as the jockeys' and trainers' winning percentages.<ref name=patton>{{cite news|title=On eve of instant racing's debut, Ky. Downs hopes for big payoff|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|author=Janet Patton|date=September 1, 2011|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2011/09/01/1864295/on-eve-of-instant-racings-debut.html|access-date=2013-10-13}}</ref> Based on this handicapping information, the player picks the projected order of finish.<ref name=bojarski/> Most players use the "handi helper", or "auto-cap" feature, which allows the machine to automatically make the selections on the player's behalf.<ref name=patton/><ref>{{cite news|title=Charities want 'historic horse racing' machines at NH casinos|newspaper=New Hampshire Union Leader|author=Dave Solomon|date=May 25, 2019|url=https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/state/charities-want-historic-horse-racing-machines-at-nh-casinos/article_af744eef-dd59-5e5a-bb5b-a3e9611609c3.html|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>
Although betting is a single-player process (and not pari-mutuel because "a person who successfully chooses a winning horse never shares a mutuel pool with other bettors simply because there is no one else betting on the same race"<ref name=oag />), payouts are based on traditional pari-mutuel processes.<ref name=courierpress/> The player's wager is divvied up into several "betting pools" for different winning possibilities, such as picking the winner of the race, picking the top three finishers in exact order, or any of the three selections finishing first and second.<ref name=oag>{{cite report|title=OAG 10-001: Instant Racing|publisher=Kentucky Office of the Attorney General|date=January 5, 2010|url=http://ag.ky.gov/civil/opinions/2010/oag10001.doc|pages=2–4|access-date=2013-10-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604192350/http://ag.ky.gov/civil/opinions/2010/OAG10001.doc|archivedate=2013-06-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> The machine then shows a replay of all or a portion of the race. If the player achieved a particular type of "win", they receive the money from that pool, while the money in each of the other pools continues to accumulate until another bettor wins it.<ref name=oag/>
Early versions of HHR terminals closely resembled self-serve wagering terminals.<ref name=patton/> Later terminals began to mimic slot machines, with symbols on spinning reels corresponding to the results of the player's wager, and the video of the race occupying only a small portion of the display.<ref name=patton/> Some versions show a computer-animated re-enactment of the race rather than a video.<ref>{{cite news|title=Horse racing returns as gaming parlors open in Virginia|newspaper=Associated Press|author=Emma Gauthier|date=April 11, 2019|url=https://www.apnews.com/06cb5934c7fd459c8f8e1077119e8263|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>
The primary providers of historical racing systems are Exacta Systems (a subsidiary of Churchill Downs), PariMax (a division of 1/ST), and Ainsworth Gaming Technology. As the HHR market grew, these companies later entered into partnerships with casino gaming vendors such as Aristocrat, IGT, Incredible Technologies, Konami, and Scientific Games to support their slot titles on HHR systems. Ainsworth leveraged experience in Class II gaming (which uses a similar loophole, except with bingo) from a prior acquisition as part of its expansion into HHR.<ref>{{cite report|title=Examination of Historical Horse Racing Machines|publisher=Casino Consultants Consortium|date=September 2021|url=https://cdn.kobi5.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Examination-of-HHRs-Sept-16-2021.pdf?x98333|accessdate=2023-09-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-23|title=Frank Floor Talk: The HHR game|url=https://cdcgaming.com/frank-floor-talk-the-hhr-game/|access-date=2026-04-15|website=CDC Gaming|language=en-US}}</ref>
==History== The idea of historical race wagering was conceived by Eric Jackson, general manager of Oaklawn Park. He brought the idea to three major companies in January 1997, but found no takers. Later in the year, he met with Ted Mudge, president of AmTote, who liked the idea and asked Jackson to present it to experts at a February 1998 racing industry gathering in Maryland. The project gathered momentum from there.<ref>{{cite news|title=Plan took shape in room on island|newspaper=Associated Press Newswires|date=January 15, 2000|author=Harry King|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=aprs000020010803dw1f019od&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}</ref>
The Arkansas General Assembly took steps in 1999 to authorize Instant Racing by removing the requirement that simulcast races be shown live.<ref>{{cite web|title=Act 10 of 1999|publisher=Arkansas General Assembly|date=February 2, 1999|url=http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/1999/R/Acts/Act10.pdf|access-date=2013-10-13}}</ref> A test deployment was launched in January 2000 at Oaklawn Park and Southland Greyhound Park, with 50 machines at each track.<ref>{{cite news|title=Track unveils new machines|newspaper=Associated Press Newswires|author=Harry King|date=January 14, 2000|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=aprs000020010803dw1e0182w&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}</ref> The machines proved popular and Jackson reported that as many as a dozen other tracks were pursuing approval to install the machines within two months of the test.<ref>{{cite news|title=New version of machines is on the way|newspaper=Associated Press Newswires|author=Harry King|date=March 28, 2000|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=aprs000020010803dw3s06mh9&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}</ref>
==By region== ===United States=== ====Alabama==== Historical horse racing machines are in operation at three former greyhound racing tracks in Alabama, Birmingham Race Course Casino, Greene County Entertainment, and Victoryland.<ref name=thornton>{{cite news|title=Birmingham Race Course places a bet on the past -- historical horse racing|work=The Birmingham News|author=William Thornton|date=October 8, 2019|url=https://www.al.com/business/2019/10/birmingham-race-course-places-a-bet-on-the-past-historical-horse-racing.html|access-date=2023-03-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Birmingham Race Course Casino|url=https://www.birminghamracecourse.com/|access-date=2023-03-12}}</ref><ref name=moon>{{cite news|title=No electronic bingo, no problem for VictoryLand|work=Alabama Political Reporter|date=June 15, 2023|author=Josh Moon|url=https://www.alreporter.com/2023/06/15/no-electronic-bingo-no-problem-for-victoryland/|accessdate=2023-09-17}}</ref>
The state attorney general opined in 2001 and 2008 that HHR machines could be legal under existing parimutuel wagering laws.<ref>{{cite news|title=Alabama AG weighs in on historical horse racing machines at Birmingham Race Course|work=The Birmingham News|author=William Thornton|date=October 10, 2019|url=https://www.al.com/business/2019/10/alabama-ag-weighs-in-on-historical-horse-racing-machines-at-birmingham-race-course.html|access-date=2023-03-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Opinion 2001-114|publisher=Office of the Attorney General|date=March 13, 2001|url=https://www.alabamaag.gov/Documents/opin/2001-114.pdf|access-date=2023-03-12|archive-date=2023-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312225522/https://www.alabamaag.gov/Documents/opin/2001-114.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Opinion 2009-020|publisher=Office of the Attorney General|date=December 5, 2008|url=https://www.alabamaag.gov/Documents/opin/2009-020.pdf|access-date=2023-03-12|archive-date=2023-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312225521/https://www.alabamaag.gov/Documents/opin/2009-020.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> HHR machines were first installed in 2019 at Birmingham Race Course.<ref name=thornton /> They came into broader use after unfavorable court rulings forced the removal of electronic bingo machines at some facilities, arriving in 2022 at the Greene County track,<ref>{{cite news|title=Greenetrack will reopen tonight|work=Alabama Today|date=October 7, 2022|author=Brandon Moseley|url=https://altoday.com/archives/47640-greenetrack-will-reopen-tonight|accessdate=2023-09-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=GreeneTrack closes its doors, dozens of employees laid off|work=Alabama Political Reporter|date=February 1, 2023|author=Josh Moon|url=https://www.alreporter.com/2023/02/01/greenetrack-closes-its-doors-dozens-of-employees-laid-off/|accessdate=2023-09-17}}</ref> and then in 2023 at Victoryland.<ref name=moon /><ref>{{cite news|title=Victoryland Casino lays off several hundred after Alabama Supreme Court shuts down electronic bingo|work=The Birmingham News|author=Mike Cason|date=January 30, 2023|url=https://www.al.com/news/2023/01/victoryland-casino-lays-off-several-hundred-after-alabama-supreme-court-shuts-down-electronic-bingo.html|access-date=2023-03-12}}</ref>
==== California ==== There were lobbying efforts in the 2010s to allow California's horse racing facilities to begin offering HHR, as their lack of supplemental revenue opportunities such as HHR or casino gaming had impacted the tracks' ability to offer purses comparable to those of eastern states such as Kentucky and New York. Under California law, Native American tribes hold exclusive rights to conduct most gambling in the state, including the operation of slot machines, outside of lotteries and parimutuel betting.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
The California Horse Racing Board had been in discussion with industry, state, and tribal officials to try and establish whether HHR was compliant with California laws regarding parimutuel betting. A representative of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association criticized HHR as being an infringement on the tribes' exclusive rights to operate slot machines, arguing that the differences between HHR and traditional slot machines were "imperceptible" to players. Among the proposals discussed were the possibility of a revenue sharing agreement with the tribes.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-02-10 |title=Will California ever approve Historical Horse Racing machines to help save the sport? |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2025-02-10/can-california-get-historical-horse-racing-over-the-finish-line |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
With no clear agreement as of 2025 on whether the machines were legal, Santa Anita Park quietly added 26 PariMax machines—branded as "Racing On Demand"—in January 2026. The machines allowed players to place "3×3" wagers (parlays of three trifectas) on historic races conducted outside of the state, with manual and quick pick options. The format had been approved for live bets at the track in 2024, but discussions on their legality for historic races had been inconclusive. Soon after the installation, the machines were seized with no prior warning by the California Department of Justice in cooperation with Arcadia police. Santa Anita Park subsequently sued the DoJ to seek the return of the machines and their cash, arguing that the seizure was conducted without a warrant or legal basis. The Attorney General's Office stated that it had not "consented or acquiesced to the legality of machines that offered 3×3 wagers on concluded horse races".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marquez |first=Jess |date=2026-01-23 |title=Is Santa Anita 'Racing on Demand' seizure another fight for California tribes? |url=https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/santa-anita-gaming-machine-tribes-fight/ |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=iGB |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-16 |title=Santa Anita Adds 'Racing On Demand' Machines at Track |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/289586/santa-anita-adds-racing-on-demand-machines-at-track |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=The Blood-Horse}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Dan |date=2026-03-29 |title=Nelson Rose on Racing-On-Demand Lawsuit: Case Could Run to End of Year and "Possibly Longer" |url=https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/nelson-rose-on-racing-on-demand-lawsuit-case-could-run-to-end-of-year-and-possibly-longer/ |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=Thoroughbred Daily News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-18 |title=Santa Anita betting machines removed by state Department of Justice |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2026-01-17/santa-anita-slot-machines-removed-by-state-department-of-justice |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
====Idaho==== The Idaho Legislature legalized Instant Racing in 2013,<ref>{{cite news|title=Some Idaho lawmakers feeling gamed over Greyhound Park 'Instant Racing'|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, WA|author=Betsy Z. Russell|date=March 21, 2014|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/mar/21/some-idaho-lawmakers-feeling-gamed-over-greyhound/|access-date=2014-06-18}}</ref> and machines were soon installed at Les Bois Park, Greyhound Park, and the Double Down Bar & Grill in Idaho Falls.<ref>{{cite news|title=Saddled with questions|newspaper=The Coeur d' Alene Press|author=Jeff Selle|date=December 28, 2014|url=http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_ca7fa766-2794-56fe-aacf-3224c5dbf3e9.html|access-date=2015-10-04|archive-date=2015-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101035901/http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_ca7fa766-2794-56fe-aacf-3224c5dbf3e9.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> State legislators then enacted a ban on the machines in early 2015, claiming they had been misled about the game's nature,<ref>{{cite news|title=Idaho instant horse racing ban awaits Otter's signature|newspaper=KTVB-TV|location=Boise, ID|author=Justin Corr|date=March 26, 2015|url=http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/local/capitol-watch/2015/03/26/instant-horse-racing-governor-desk/70511272/|access-date=2015-10-04|archive-date=2015-10-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007163726/http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/local/capitol-watch/2015/03/26/instant-horse-racing-governor-desk/70511272/|url-status=dead}}</ref> but the ban was vetoed by Governor Butch Otter.<ref>{{cite news|title=Coeur d'Alene Tribe takes betting machine battle to court|newspaper=The Coeur d' Alene Press|agency=AP|date=June 4, 2015|url=http://www.cdapress.com/news/idaho_news/article_329b5f47-af54-514e-87e9-650ed7e8a28f.html|access-date=2015-10-04}}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> However, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, which operates a casino that competes with the racetracks, successfully sued to invalidate Otter's veto, and the ban went into effect in September 2015, resulting in the shutdown of the state's historical racing parlors.<ref>{{cite news|title=Idaho Supreme Court rejects Otter veto; 'instant racing' machines banned|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, WA|author=Betsy Z. Russell|date=September 11, 2015|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/sep/11/idaho-supreme-court-rejects-otter-veto-instant/|access-date=2015-10-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Track officials 'devastated' by ban on horse racing machines|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|agency=AP|author=Kimberlee Kruesi|date=September 11, 2015|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/travel/sns-bc-id--instant-racing-illegal-20150911-story.html|access-date=2015-10-04}}</ref> A ballot initiative to re-legalize the machines, Proposition 1, was rejected by voters in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|title=Idaho blocks historical horse racing measure|newspaper=Idaho Statesman|author1=Cynthia Sewell|author2=Audrey Dutton|date=November 6, 2018|url=https://www.idahostatesman.com/latest-news/article221232440.html|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>
====Kansas==== Kansas legislators enacted a historical racing law in 2022, authorizing one license for a facility in the Wichita area with up to 1,000 machines.<ref>{{cite news|title=Three developers compete to provide historical horse race betting in Sedgwick County|work=The Wichita Eagle|author=Matthew Kelly|date=March 2, 2023|url=https://www.kansas.com/news/business/article272641418.html|access-date=2023-03-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kansas Statutes § 74-8843|url=http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/074_000_0000_chapter/074_088_0000_article/074_088_0043_section/074_088_0043_k/|access-date=2023-03-12}}</ref> The license was granted to the proposed Golden Circle project, to open at the former Wichita Greyhound Park in Park City in 2025.<ref>{{cite news|title=Park City to see changes after license approved for historic horse racing facility|work=KSN-TV|date=July 13, 2023|author=Malley Jones|url=https://www.ksn.com/news/local/park-city-to-see-changes-after-license-approved-for-historic-horse-racing-facility/|accessdate=2023-09-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Phil Ruffin's Golden Circle picks up construction with September 2025 opening|work=Wichita Business Journal|author=Shaheer Naveed|date=October 9, 2024|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2024/10/09/phil-ruffin-casino-gilleys-park-city-golden-circle.html|access-date=2025-03-09}}</ref>
====Kentucky==== The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission modified its definition of parimutuel wagering in July 2010 to allow Instant Racing, and at the same time asked a court to review whether the change was legal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ky. begins move toward betting on re-shown races|newspaper=USA Today|agency=AP|author=Will Graves|date=July 20, 2010|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/horses/2010-07-20-3307050355_x.htm|access-date=2013-10-06}}</ref> The court approved the changes and anti-gambling activists appealed the decision.<ref>{{cite news|title=Judge OKs plan to bet on re-shown races in Kentucky|newspaper=Evansville Courier & Press|agency=AP|date=December 29, 2010|url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/dec/29/judge-oks-plan-bet-re-shown-races-kentucky/|access-date=2013-10-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kentucky Downs kicks off instant racing|newspaper=Bowling Green Daily News|author=Robyn L. Minor|date=September 2, 2011|url=http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/kentucky-downs-kicks-off-instant-racing/article_264ec04a-fd72-5506-8462-45852253d045.html?TNNoMobile|access-date=2013-10-06}}</ref> The anti-gambling activists' appeal reached the Kentucky Supreme Court, which ruled in February 2014 that the Horse Racing Commission could authorize parimutuel wagering on historical races, but remanded the case for further proceedings to determine whether the terminals meet the definition of parimutuel wagering.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kentucky Supreme Court says instant racing can be regulated, doesn't rule on legality|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|author=Janet Patton|date=February 20, 2014|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2014/02/20/3099342_kentucky-supreme-court-sends-instant.html?rh=1|access-date=2015-10-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite court|litigants=Appalachian Racing LLC v. Family Trust Foundation of Kentucky Inc.|date=2014|court=Ky.|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ky-supreme-court/1658602.html|access-date=2015-10-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.courier-journal.com/story/money/2014/02/20/instant-racing-opponents-can-continue-fighting-slot-like-game-kentucky-supreme-court-says/5638625/ | title=Instant Racing opponents can continue fight, but ruling removes some arguments | newspaper=The Courier Journal | date=February 20, 2014 | access-date=2014-06-14 | author=Gregory A. Hall}}</ref> In 2020, the Supreme Court finally ruled that at least the Exacta Systems product was not parimutuel.<ref>{{cite news|title=Setback for historical racing in Kentucky Supreme Court|work=The Blood-Horse|author=Frank Angst|date=September 24, 2020|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/243685/setback-for-historical-racing-in-kentucky-supreme-court|access-date=2021-10-24}}</ref> The next year, however, state legislators updated the definition of parimutuel wagering to explicitly allow historical horse racing, citing its importance to the state's racing industry.<ref>{{cite news|title=HHR bill signed into law by Kentucky governor|work=The Blood-Horse|date=February 22, 2021|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/246343/hhr-bill-signed-into-law-by-kentucky-governor|access-date=2021-10-24}}</ref>
Even while the legal fight unfolded, Kentucky Downs launched Instant Racing terminals in September 2011,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/kentucky-downs-kicks-off-instant-racing/article_264ec04a-fd72-5506-8462-45852253d045.html?mode=jqm | title=Kentucky Downs kicks off instant racing | work=The Daily News | date=March 16, 2012 | access-date=2014-06-14 | author=Robyn L. Minor}}</ref> Ellis Park followed suit a year later,<ref>{{cite news|title=Geary's dream of Instant Racing machines coming to life today at Ellis Park|newspaper=Evansville Courier & Press|author=Chuck Stinnett|date=August 31, 2012|url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/aug/31/instant-racing-machines-gearys-dream-coming-to/|access-date=2013-10-06}}</ref> and the Red Mile opened a historical racing parlor in partnership with Keeneland in September 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Red Mile's new gambling parlor opens; officials hope it will save the track|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|author=Janet Patton|date=September 17, 2015|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2015/09/17/4041816_red-miles-new-gambling-facility.html?rh=1|access-date=2015-10-04}}</ref> Derby City Gaming, a standalone historical racing parlor, opened in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|title=Churchill Downs unveils $65M Derby City Gaming|work=Louisville Business First|author=Marty Finley|date=September 13, 2018|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2018/09/13/first-look-churchill-downs-unveils-60m-derby-city.html|access-date=2021-10-24}}</ref> As of 2021, development was underway on a historical racing parlor at Turfway Park and on a second Derby City Gaming location.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turfway Park: Construction on Northern Kentucky's horse racing track begins after a delay|work=Cincinnati Enquirer|author=Julia Fair|date=March 17, 2021|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2021/03/18/turfway-park-construction-break-ground-nky-track-after-delay/4708651001/|access-date=2021-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Derby City Gaming expanding to downtown Louisville|work=The Lane Report|date=September 30, 2021|url=https://www.lanereport.com/147058/2021/09/derby-city-gaming-expanding-to-downtown-louisville/|access-date=2021-10-24}}</ref>
====Louisiana==== In 2021, Louisiana lawmakers authorized historical racing at off-track betting parlors, with up to 50 machines per location.<ref>{{cite news|title=Historical horse racing bill awaits Louisiana governor's signature; HHR also OK'ed in New Hampshire|work=Paulick Report|date=June 10, 2021|url=https://paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/historical-horse-racing-bill-awaits-louisiana-governors-signature-hhr-also-oked-in-new-hampshire/|accessdate=2022-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Governor John Bel Edwards signs another 28 bills into law from the 2021 Legislative Session|work=KTVE-TV|author=Jenn Hensley|date=June 22, 2021|url=https://www.myarklamiss.com/louisiana-news/governor-john-bel-edwards-signs-another-28-bills-into-law-from-the-2021-legislative-session/|accessdate=2022-06-19}}</ref>
The machines were shut down when they were declared unconstitutional by a judge in Baton Rouge in March 2024. Nineteenth Judicial District Court Judge Chip Moore III ruled historical horse racing was a new form of gambling, and under the state constitution, the Louisiana State Legislature could not authorize it without the approval of voters in the parish(es) where the machines were located. The Louisiana Supreme Court upheld the district court's ruling in March 2025, keeping the machines inoperable.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bridges |first=Tony McAuley, Tyler |date=2025-05-13 |title=Fair Grounds Race Track parent threatens to pull out of Louisiana on ruling curbing slots |url=https://www.nola.com/news/business/nola-fair-grounds-race-track-owner-threatens-to-leave-state/article_8e63eba5-47c2-421e-be3d-307656030468.html#tncms-source=business-featured |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=NOLA.com |language=en}}</ref>
====Minnesota==== In April 2024, the Minnesota Racing Commission voted to authorize the installation of 500 HHR terminals each at Canterbury Park and the Running Aces Casino & Racetrack. The decision proved controversial; the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community among other Indian tribes believed that the decision overstepped the MRC's authority, and infringed upon their compact to operate tribal casinos in the state. Soon afterward, the Minnesota legislature quickly tabled and passed legislation to explicitly ban HHR.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-26 |title=Commission Turmoil Underscores Challenges in Minnesota |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/288822/commission-turmoil-underscores-challenges-in-minnesota |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=The Blood-Horse}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reddekopp |first=Morgan |date=2024-04-18 |title=Ban on 'historical horse racing' machines headed to House floor |url=https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/ban-on-historical-horse-racing-machines-headed-to-house-floor/ |access-date=2026-01-27 |website=5 Eyewitness News |language=en-US|publisher=Hubbard Broadcasting}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-08 |title=Ban on historical horse racing advances swiftly after Racing Commission tried to legalize casino games |url=https://www.startribune.com/ban-on-historical-horse-racing-advances-swiftly-after-racing-commission-tried-to-legalize-casino-games/600357293/ |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=Minnesota Star Tribune}}</ref>
====Nebraska==== Nebraska has seen several attempts to legalize the machines. The Nebraska Legislature voted to authorize the machines in 2012, but the bill was vetoed by Governor Dave Heineman.<ref>{{cite news|title=Governor vetoes historical horse racing bill |newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|author=JoAnne Young|date=April 9, 2012|url=https://journalstar.com/news/local/governor-vetoes-historical-horse-racing-bill/article_f98118ad-0d21-5834-ba2b-81c2cd357c61.html|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref> The legislature then approved a state constitutional amendment in 2014 to allow historical racing, but it was struck from the ballot by the Nebraska Supreme Court based on a technicality.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nebraska Supreme Court tosses betting on historic horse races off the Nov. 4 ballot |newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|author=Paul Hammel|date=September 5, 2014|url=https://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/nebraska-supreme-court-tosses-betting-on-historic-horse-races-off/article_e31cf626-3504-11e4-a445-001a4bcf6878.html|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref> The state racing commission attempted in 2018 to approve the machines, but backed off after Attorney General Doug Peterson argued that the move was unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite news|title=Racing Commission puts off vote on adding 'historical' horse race machines at Fonner Park|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|author=Steve Liewer|date=January 17, 2019|url=https://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/racing-commission-puts-off-vote-on-adding-historical-horse-race/article_32e9d54c-5b28-5dfe-be9f-cd26255c47f1.html|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>
====New Hampshire==== In 2021, New Hampshire legalized historic horse racing machines at charitable gaming facilities.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Hampshire authorizes historical horse racing in the state|work=WBZ-AM|date=June 10, 2021|url=https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/content/new-hampshire-authorizes-historical-horse-racing-in-the-state/|access-date=2021-10-24}}</ref> By 2023, machines were up and running at eight locations.<ref name=gochhr>{{cite report|title=Games of Chance & Historic Horse Racing Market Trends Report|publisher=New Hampshire Lottery Commission|date=June 2023|page=5|url=https://www.compliance.lottery.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt686/files/inline-documents/sonh/market-trends-june-2023.pdf|accessdate=2023-09-17}}</ref> The largest operation in the state, The Brook, has 505 machines and accounts for 41% of the state's HHR revenue.<ref name=gochhr /><ref>{{cite news|title=Gambling for Good|work=New Hampshire Magazine|date=February 15, 2023|author=Lynne Snierson|url=https://www.nhmagazine.com/gambling-for-good/|accessdate=2023-09-17}}</ref>
====Oregon==== The Oregon Racing Commission approved HHR at the state's racetracks in April 2003.<ref>{{cite news|title=Instant racing to start at area racetracks|newspaper=Associated Press Newswires|date=April 24, 2003|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=aprs000020030424dz4o00rh2&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}</ref> Twenty units were installed at Multnomah Greyhound Park the next month. The terminals were moved to Portland Meadows in October.<ref name=mapes>{{cite news|title=Owner of Portland, Ore., racetracks scratches race-based video games|newspaper=The Oregonian|author=Jeff Mapes|date=November 25, 2003|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=KRTPO00020031126dzbp0008d&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}</ref> They were removed in November 2003 at the direction of the tracks' parent company, Magna Entertainment.<ref name=mapes /> The Commission in 2006 approved a request from Magna to bring the game back to Portland Meadows,<ref>{{cite web|title=Minutes, September 21, 2006|publisher=Oregon Racing Commission|url=http://www.oregon.gov/Racing/docs/minutes/2006_minutes/06mn0921.pdf|page=21|access-date=2013-10-05|archive-date=2013-10-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012011749/http://www.oregon.gov/Racing/docs/minutes/2006_minutes/06mn0921.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> but then reversed itself a year later under pressure from Attorney General Hardy Myers, who believed the machines to be illegal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Magna considering future of live racing at Portland Meadows|newspaper=Portland Business Journal|date=August 10, 2007|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2007/08/06/daily48.html|access-date=2013-10-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Has horse racing run its course?|newspaper=The Oregonian|author=Janie Har|date=October 6, 2007|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:ORGB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11C2D62560E81280&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required|via=NewsBank}}</ref>
The state enacted a new law legalizing HHR in June 2013,<ref>{{cite news|title=Struggling Portland Meadows battles to overcome the odds|newspaper=Portland Business Journal|author=Adam Worcester|date=July 12, 2013|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/print-edition/2013/07/12/struggling-portland-meadows-battles-to.html?page=all|access-date=2013-09-23}}</ref> and games were relaunched at Portland Meadows in February 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=And they're off: Portland Meadows fans can now wager on old races|newspaper=Portland Business Journal|author=Andy Giegerich|date=February 11, 2015|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/morning_call/2015/02/and-theyre-off-portland-meadows-fans-can-now-wager.html|access-date=2015-10-04}}</ref> Portland Meadows closed in 2019.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shuttered Portland Meadows demolished|work=The Blood-Horse|date=February 19, 2020|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/238611/shuttered-portland-meadows-demolished|accessdate=2022-06-19}}</ref>
Another horse track, Grants Pass Downs, sought to open a historical racing parlor with 225 machines. In February 2022, their application was denied by the Oregon Department of Justice; it ruled that because they did not offer enough information to the player about a specific race in order to afford them a "meaningful opportunity to exercise skill" via parimutuel betting, the proposed machines constituted a game of chance and therefore violated state laws prohibiting private casinos with more than 75 slot machines.<ref>{{cite news|title=Racing Commission reluctantly complies with DOJ on Flying Lark's HHR application|work=KTVL-TV|author=Christina Giardinelli|date=February 17, 2022|url=https://ktvl.com/news/local/racing-commission-reluctantly-complies-with-doj-on-flying-larks-hhr-application|accessdate=2022-06-19|publisher=Sinclair Broadcast Group}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-11 |title=Horse-racing terminals violate Oregon constitution, concludes DOJ |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2022/02/11/oregon-constitution-department-of-justice-horse-race-betting-grants-pass-gambling/ |access-date=2026-04-11 |website= |publisher=Oregon Public Broadcasting |language=en}}</ref>
====Texas==== The Texas Racing Commission adopted rules in August 2014 to allow historical wagering at the state's horse and dog tracks.<ref>{{cite news|title=State officials approve historical racing in Texas|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|author=Anna M. Tinsley|date=August 29, 2014|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/08/29/6077655/state-officials-approve-historical.html|access-date=2014-11-05}}</ref> However, in November 2014, a judge struck down the new rules, finding that historical wagering was a new type of wagering not authorized by existing statutes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Judge strikes down state plans for "historical racing"|newspaper=Texas Tribune|author=Aman Batheja|date=November 10, 2014|url=http://www.texastribune.org/2014/11/10/judge-strikes-down-state-plans-historical-racing/|access-date=2018-04-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=Annual Report 2015|publisher=Texas Racing Commission|date=February 1, 2016|page=17|url=http://www.txrc.texas.gov/agency/reports/AnnualRpt/AnnualReport2015.pdf|access-date=2018-04-28|archive-date=2016-12-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224040154/http://www.txrc.texas.gov/agency/reports/AnnualRpt/AnnualReport2015.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The decision was appealed, but the Commission, under strong pressure from state legislators, repealed the historical wagering rules before the appeal could be decided.<ref>{{cite news|title=Texas Racing Commission sets Texas horse racing on path to the glue factory|newspaper=Dallas Observer|author=Stephen Young|date=February 18, 2016|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-cowboys-day-2-draft-preview-10631232|access-date=2018-04-28}}</ref>
====Virginia==== Virginia enacted a law to allow historical wagering in April 2018, in an effort to make it economically viable to reopen the state's only horse track, Colonial Downs.<ref>{{cite news|title=Northam signs legislation aimed at reopening Colonial Downs, ordering 'reasonable limitations on the proliferation of gaming in Virginia'|newspaper=Richmond Times-Dispatch|author=Michael Martz|date=April 9, 2018|url=http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/government-politics/general-assembly/northam-signs-legislation-aimed-at-reopening-colonial-downs-ordering-reasonable/article_6de9b63f-2a89-5b65-a7c0-bd4fc31e63da.html|access-date=2018-04-28}}</ref> The racetrack's historical racing parlor opened in April 2019, with additional machines to follow at several off-track betting parlors around the state, branded as Rosie's Gaming Emporium.<ref>{{cite news|title=Local officials, gaming fans welcome Rosie's to New Kent|newspaper=The Virginia Gazette|author=Rodrigo Arriaza|date=April 23, 2019|url=https://www.vagazette.com/news/va-vg-tr-rosies-opening-0424-story.html|access-date=2019-05-26|archive-date=2019-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526185801/https://www.vagazette.com/news/va-vg-tr-rosies-opening-0424-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Second Rosie's Gaming Emporium opens in advance of racing's return to Colonial Downs|publisher=Colonial Downs Group|date=May 9, 2019|url=https://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/second-rosies-gaming-emporium-opens-in-advance-of-racings-return-to-colonial-downs/|via=Paulick Report|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>
====Wyoming==== Historical horse racing is offered at off-track betting (OTB) parlors owned by the state's 3 active racetracks. As of 2023, there were a total of 2,486 HHR machines operating at 43 parlors, with an annual handle of $1.7 billion.<ref>{{cite report|title=Annual Report 2023|publisher=Wyoming Gaming Commission|pages=10 & 18|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LugNcSFxCv4kEjibxBcj3zPEOZcRJdEz/view|access-date=2025-03-09}}</ref>
HHR machines were first installed at Wyoming's four OTB parlors beginning in July 2003,<ref>{{cite news|title=Poised for a comeback|newspaper=Wyoming Tribune-Eagle|author=Jennifer Frazer|date=October 25, 2005|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:WTEB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10FD79C4DE915899&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required|via=NewsBank}}</ref> after approval by the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minutes of the July 11, 2003 meeting|publisher=Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission|url=http://parimutuel.state.wy.us/PDF/CommMinutes/05-19-03.pdf|access-date=2013-10-05|page=2}}</ref> The machines' legality was soon called into question by the state Attorney General, and they were removed in 2005 following a court ruling.<ref>{{cite news|title=Businesses pull race machines|newspaper=Billings Gazette|date=July 15, 2005|url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/businesses-pull-race-machines/article_89dde7e7-252b-58b6-8880-339db77f8b18.html|access-date=2013-10-05}}</ref> The Wyoming Supreme Court ultimately ruled them illegal in 2006, calling the game "a slot machine that attempts to mimic traditional pari-mutuel wagering".<ref>{{cite news|title=Wyoming Supreme Court rules against 'instant racing' machines|newspaper=Billings Gazette|agency=AP|author=Ben Neary|date=May 3, 2006|url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/wyoming-supreme-court-rules-against-instant-racing-machines/article_cd932253-57ec-5c73-a480-de990857a8f9.html|access-date=2013-10-05}}</ref> In 2013, the state legislature re-legalized HHR.<ref>{{cite news|title=New law jump-starts horce racing at Wyoming Downs|newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune|author=Steve Luhm|date=March 9, 2013|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/55975045-77/racing-wyoming-joyce-race.html.csp|access-date=2013-10-05}}</ref> By December 2016, machines were in operation at 14 betting parlors across the state.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wyoming's historic horse racing industry saw slow, steady recovery this year|newspaper=Wyoming Tribune Eagle|author=James Chilton|date=December 15, 2016|url=http://www.wyomingnews.com/news/wyoming-s-historic-horse-racing-industry-saw-slow-steady-recovery/article_11717aba-c293-11e6-92da-63ce2248b044.html|access-date=2017-02-23}}</ref> The game has been credited with reviving the state's horse racing industry, which grew from zero live races in 2010 to 467 races in 2023.<ref>{{cite report|title=Pari-Mutuel Wagering and HHR|publisher=Wyoming Horse Racing, Wyoming Downs, 307 Horse Racing|date=April 25, 2024|page=1|url=https://wyoleg.gov/InterimCommittee/2024/02-20240507HollandAndHart-PariMutuelWageringHHR.pdf|access-date=2025-03-09}}</ref> ===Malta=== In 2024, Churchill Downs, Exacta, and IGT partnered with the Malta National Lottery to install HHR machines, with its first facility being Izibingo, a bingo parlor in St. Paul's Bay operated by the Malta National Lottery. It was the first expansion of the game beyond the United States.<ref>{{cite news|title=IGT and Churchill Downs expand HHR outside US with Malta National Lottery|work=iGaming Business|date=July 4, 2024|author=Robert Fletcher|url=https://igamingbusiness.com/casino-games/slots/igt-and-churchill-hhr-malta/|access-date=2025-03-09}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|35em}}
==External links== *[http://www.parimax.com/ PariMax] *[http://www.exactasystems.com/ Exacta Systems]
Category:Gaming devices Category:Sports betting Category:Horse racing controversies Category:Horse racing in the United States Category:Horse racing video games Category:Games and sports introduced in 2000 Category:Greyhound racing