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Idaho Voters To Get Historical Racing Vote November 6
A "yes" vote by Idaho voters on November 6 could see a return of historic horse racing terminals at Les Bois Park.

© Les Bois Park
Idaho Voters To Get Historical Racing Vote November 6

BOISE, ID—JULY 11, 2018—Idaho's Secretary of State Lawerence Denney said Tuesday a proposal to legalize historical horse racing betting terminals will be on the Idaho ballot in November.

According to Denney, the ballot initiative collected enough valid signatures from the required amount of legislative districts to get on the ballot this fall. The initiative needed at least 56,192 valid signatures, with a certain amount coming from at least 18 of Idaho's 35 legislative districts. Nearly 115,000 signatures were gathered by supporters.

If approved the machines would be allowed at locations where live or simulcast horse racing occurs, like Les Bois Park in Boise. Income from the machines is necessary for the horse racing industry to continue in in the state.

The machines were legalized in 2013 by the Idaho Legislature, but later repealed in 2015, causing the close of Les Bois in 2016. Critics found them similar to slot machines, which are banned in this Idaho.

Gov. Butch Otter, who tried but failed to veto the 2015 repeal, welcomed Tuesday's news in a statement released by the initiative's backers. “Horse racing has a long and storied history in Idaho. It’s a big business and important to our state,” Otter said.

The measure will be on Idaho's general election ballot Nov. 6.