And they're off: Racetrack slots bill ready to go in Texas Senate

A prominent horse industry publication reports today that a racetrack gaming bill is "ready to be filed" and is counting on an industry "boost" from Speaker candidate Joe Straus.

The Blood-Horse, one of the oldest newsweeklies in racing, reports that a coalition of horse breeders and racetracks will back a bill bringing video lottery terminals (VLTs) to tracks with part of the money dedicated to the industry.

"This isn't a gambling bill; it's a horse bill,"  Peter Rottgers is quoted as saying, representing the coalition Texas HORSE (Horse Organizations for Racing, Showing and Eventing).

Texas Thoroughbred Association director David E. Hooper said by phone late Wednesday that horsemen have a "committed Senate sponsor" but are waiting to see when to file the bill.

Straus' family helped found Retama Park near San Antonio, but he said this week that he does not have any role in the industry besides a "small limited partnership interest" in the track.

He told The Associated Press on Monday that if elected speaker, he would avoid involvement in any bill involving gambling. "I will not be involved in an issue, any issue, where my personal interests will be advanced," he was quoted as saying.

  --Bud Kennedy

Comments

[gordon pond]

This gambling bill is coming like a runaway locomotive. Friends and I have formed STOP SLOTS IN TEXAS PAC to specifically work against he tracks acquiring slots. If the tracks don't get them, no one will. We have lots of information on Texans for Economic Developement PAC(the track and horsemen's groups PAC) and how they have spent over $3 million. Email me for more info, gzk@suddenlink.net Gordon Pond