Officials Look to Move Betting Machines Back to Race Track

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — An eastern Idaho horse racing track has folded on trying to keep its lucrative betting machines off-site after months of defending the legality of the machines' location.

The Post Register reports that owners Jim and Melissa Bernard submitted an application on July 30 to operate instant horse racing betting terminals closer to the Sandy Downs racing track in Idaho Falls. Known as instant horse racing, the machines allow bettors to place wages on prior horse races with no identifiable information. Sandy Downs is the only horse racing track in the state to operate instant horse racing terminals off-site.

However, lawmakers raised questions about the legality of off-site operation earlier this year, claiming county officials did not give the proper approval. The application must now be approved by city officials.