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Idaho Proposition 1, the Authorize Betting on Historical Horse Races Initiative, is on the ballot in Idaho as an initiated state statute on Nov. 6, 2018.

A yes vote is a vote in favor of this measure to legalize the use of video terminals for betting on historical horse races, also known as instant racing.

A no vote is a vote against this measure to legalize the use of video terminals for betting on historical horse races, also known as instant racing.

Proposition 1 would allow the use of video terminals for betting on historical horse races restricted to locations at which live horse races are held on at least eight days of the year. Historical horse racing is also known as instant racing.

Overview

Historical horse racing and pari-mutuel betting

Historical horse race is defined in the measure as “a race involving live horses that was conducted in the past and that is rebroadcast by electronic means and shown on a delayed or replayed basis for the purposes of pari-mutuel wagering conducted at a facility that is authorized to show simulcast and/or televised races where at least eight live horse race days are conducted annually.” Historical horse racing, like live horse racing, is pari-mutuel, which is defined in the measure as “any system whereby wagers with respect to the outcome of a race are placed with, or in, a wagering pool conducted by a person licensed or otherwise permitted to do so under state law, and in which the participants are wagering with each other and not against the operator.” Pari-mutuel betting is a betting system where the people who bet on the first-, second-, and third-place competitors will share the sum of the total bet, minus that which is put aside for house management. A pari-mutuel system means that the bets are pooled and shared among the winners.

What would this measure do?

Proposition 1 was designed to once again legalize video terminals for betting on historical horse races. Idaho legalized historical horse racing in 2013 with the passage of House Bill 220 in 2013. It was repealed through Senate Bill 1011 in 2015. This measure was designed to once again legalize historical horse racing through video terminals and is very similar to House Bill 220 of 2013. Historical horse racing, under the measure, would be limited to existing racetracks that are authorized to conduct live horse racing or simulcast wagering or to facilities where at least eight live horse racing events are conducted per year. It would require that one percent of total daily funds in wagering pools be provided to the Idaho state racing commission. It would require that betting on historical horse races be conducted through a pari-mutuel system.

—Information courtesy ballotpedia.org