Bill seeks to end betting machines

BOISE — A bill seeking to outlaw Idaho’s slot-like betting machines is on its way to the Senate floor despite racetrack representatives’ protests that tracks will close without the machines.

The Senate State Affairs Committee endorsed legislation Wednesday to repeal historical horse racing, known as instant racing, in Idaho. Instant racing takes place on a betting terminal that allows people to bet on a horse race that happened in the past, with no identifiable information given.

The legislation is being backed by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and lawmakers who felt like the information presented in 2013 — when instant racing was approved in Idaho — didn’t contain all the facts.

For the rest of the story, see the print edition of the Bonner County Daily Bee or subscribe to our e-edition.