The sudden removal of Racing on Demand slot machines from Santa Anita's grandstand pavilion has sparked a heated debate in the horse racing community. These machines, which offered a unique form of pari-mutuel wagering, were designed to provide an additional revenue stream for the track. But here's where it gets controversial... The question of their legality has been a point of contention, with powerful Tribal entities arguing that they violate the tribal compact on gambling. The machines were quietly unveiled just two days prior, offering $1 bets and allowing gamblers to select the first three finishers of three random six-horse races from previously run events. The ultimate purpose was to boost Santa Anita's purses, which have struggled to compete with other states that utilize supplemental revenue sources like Historic Horse Racing (HHR) machines. The Los Angeles Turf Club, however, maintained that the machines operated under California's longstanding pari-mutuel wagering laws, and that the Attorney General's office had ample time to raise concerns. Now, the future of Racing on Demand at Santa Anita hangs in the balance, leaving many to wonder what comes next for this innovative, yet controversial, form of wagering.
