Les Bois Track Closes Due to Lost Instant Racing Machines
GARDEN CITY, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's largest horse racing operation is closing after 40 years in business.
Les Bois Park closed its doors permanently on Sunday. Treasure Valley Racing officials say the park can't afford to stay open without horse racing terminals.
Known as instant horse racing, the machines allow bettors to place wages on prior horse races with no identifiable information. The machines have spinning wheels, sounds and animations that mimic slot machines, which are illegal in Idaho. The state ruled the terminals illegal last year.
Idaho Horse Council member Myron Amsden says losing Les Bois will trickle down and affect smaller tracks, as the big park helped generate purses.
Les Bois Park was leased to Treasure Valley Raving by Ada County. It is unclear what will happen to the park now.