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State Senate Votes To Restore Ban on Instant Horse Racing Machines in Idaho
Historical racing machines went online June 2014 at Les Bois Park in Boise, Idaho.

© Katherine Jones / Idaho Statesman
State Senate Votes To Restore Ban on Instant Horse Racing Machines in Idaho

BOISE, ID—FEBRUARY 18, 2015—Idaho senators, who say they were duped into approving cleverly disguised slot machines two years ago, pushed back on Tuesday by voting 25-9 to repeal all instant horse racing in the state.

The measure, backed by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, would mean that roughly 250 instant horse racing terminals installed in three locations around Idaho go dark.

John Sheldon, president of Treasure Valley Racing, which operates Les Bois Park in Garden City, said the Senate had "voted against Idaho’s horse racing industry," against millions of dollars in tax revenue and business investment, and hundreds of jobs, including 271 at Les Bois Park.

"We believe all gaming in Idaho should comply with the constitution," Sheldon said. Instant horse racing "is compliant with Idaho law."

Republican Sen. Bob Nonini, the only senator from a district with both instant racing and Indian tribal gaming, says the issue of legality should be left up to the courts, while Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill argued that the terminals displaying instant horse racing are too similar to an illegal slot machine.

The bill now goes to the Idaho House for approval.