Texas Racing Commission confronts dangerous horse racing and illegal gambling situations.

AUSTIN, TX–OCTOBER 3, 2024–On October 1, the Texas Racing Commission released the following press release.

From the Texas Racing Commission - The Texas Racing Commission’s law enforcement team joined a monthslong effort with local and interagency state partners to confront illegal horseracing, animal abuse, and gambling in Hockley County, near Lubbock, Sunday, September 29, 2024.

“The Texas Racing Commission is a specialized law enforcement agency willing to lend its expertise to any enforcement partner to prevent illegal gambling on horseracing in Texas,” said Amy F. Cook, executive director of the Texas Racing Commission. “Illicit racing at brush tracks pose a direct risk to the health and safety of racing animals and undermines the integrity of legitimate racing in our state.”

The Texas Racing Commission, alongside the Hockley County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Animal Health Commission, and others, effected search warrants and made multiple arrests at an illegal racetrack, known as Carril Mochomos, in Levelland. These mass gatherings for horse racing activities are commonly referred to as brush tracks and are a magnet for criminal activity and animal cruelty. In addition to electrical shocking devices to inflict pain on racing horses, illegal equine and human drugs were discovered, as well as gambling devices and paraphernalia, and large caches of currency.

“As a result of a search of the property, 135 grams of cocaine and numerous gambling devices were located and seized,” said Lt. Johnny Bures, a spokesman with the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Lubbock office.

“Nine individuals were arrested for various offenses, including Gambling Promotion, Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Money Laundering, Use of Proceeds Derived from Racketeering or Unlawful Debt Collection, Unlawful Racing, and Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance,” Bures said. “Currently, the investigation is still ongoing.”

In 2023, the Texas Legislature made significant investments in the Texas Racing Commission. Additionally, Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 4635 by Rep. Ryan Guillen and Sen. Pete Flores, creating enhancements to the Texas Penal Code through a new racketeering chapter. This legislation strengthened the Texas Racing Commission’s ability to enforce the Texas Racing Act throughout the state of Texas.

“We will use every tool at our disposal to enforce our state’s law,” Cook said. “The Texas Racing Commission is developing a strong regulatory structure to protect Texas horseracing and to support our interagency partners.”

In 1986, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Racing Commission to enforce the Texas Racing Act and the Rules of Racing to ensure the safety and integrity of pari-mutuel racing. The Racing Commission regulates all aspects of horse and greyhound racing to protect the animals and participants throughout the state of Texas.

AQHA statement:
"We are appreciative of the regulatory authorities taking action against such activities and, as a result, safeguarding the horses involved," said AQHA Chief Racing Officer Janet VanBebber. "The welfare of the American Quarter Horse is paramount, and we support regulated racing to ensure humane treatment of horses and ensure fair competition."