Supporters Say Legislation Would Rescue Michigan Horse Racing
LANSING (WWJ) - State lawmakers are taking steps to try to revive horse racing in Michigan.
There were once 25,000 employees in the state's horse racing industry. That number has dwindled to about 9,000 and some fear that number will wither away without legislative action.
WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick said a bill that's been working its way through the state legislature would revamp the state's existing Horse Racing Act in a way that horse racing groups say will improve their financial situation.
Said Rep. Kevin Daley (R-Lum), who support the amendment, "We've taken a business that's been in the state for 80 years and we run it down the tubes."
"What we wanna do is we wanna allow instant horse racing. It's just a machine that allows you to bet the same way you do any existing actual race that's going on but you do it historical races," he said.
The machines would be located at Michigan racetracks where historic races would be shown on video screens.
Opponents say enough is enough when it comes to gambling in our state.
The legislation is also opposed by local casinos who successfully promoted a 2004 ballot proposal that banned slot machines and other expanded gaming at the track.
Skubick said Gov. Rick Snyder has sent the word that this issue is not on his agenda.
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