Santa Anita’s Secret Betting Machines Spark Legal Battle Over Horse Racing Rules
Santa Anita racetrack has quietly installed 26 betting machines for wagering on past horse races, sparking controversy among regulators and tribal gaming groups who question their legality. The machines, resembling slot machines, were set up without prior public announcement or approval from the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB). The new terminals, called Racing on Demand, allow bets on previously run races, operating only after 11 a.m. on live racing days. Unlike traditional betting, these machines provide minimal handicapping details, raising concerns about their nature. Santa Anita justified the installation using a loophole—the three-by-three bet—which permits wagering on multiple past races. The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) had earlier approved up to 40 such terminals for betting on concluded events. However, the CHRB was unaware of the installation until after it took place. The board maintains that such slot machine-style devices are illegal under state law, as they fall outside pari-mutuel wagering and require legislative approval. Proposition 1A grants exclusive control over non-pari-mutuel gambling to tribes, who argue that these machines violate state compacts. Victor Rocha of the Indian Gaming Association called the move illegal gambling. The dispute centres on whether the machines qualify as skill-based pari-mutuel betting or unregulated games of chance, which tribes oversee in California. The installation of the 26 Racing on Demand machines has created a legal grey area. If classified as games of chance, they would breach tribal gaming rights. The CHRB and tribal groups are now assessing the next steps, with the machines’ future hanging in the balance.
