Today is the final scheduled day for our legislative spring session. There has been plenty of arguing and posturing in regards to the “gaming bill.”  The horse racing piece of the bill has been finalized.  However, we are a small part of a massive, controversial deal.  As I’ve been saying the last few days, we had a good idea that it would come down to this last day.  We are hopeful that this situation will become clearer in the next few hours.  I’ll report back as soon as I hear anymore, good or bad.

Tony Somone, Executive Director, IHHA

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First of all, let’s remember to commemorate those who gave their lives in service to our Country. We express our gratitude to their souls and to their families for their sacrifices, which have allowed us to live and enjoy our current freedoms.

Another day in Springfield is winding up, but it’s another day we are still alive for a major gaming bill. No significant changes from last week but SB516 and its amendment #2 (which we are told could be the vehicle for our gaming bill), did pass out of executive committee today at 8:30 a.m. Amendment two had nothing substantive in it. This is basically a procedural move to keep the process moving along. The hope is that another amendment will be added within the next three days and that will be the gaming bill. We’ll hope and we’ll see. In the meantime, all stakeholders continue to fight it out until the very last moment. Today horse racing (minus Arlington) met with Rep. Bob Rita, Rep. Lisa Hernandez and Senator Link. All supported much of our agreement. Table games are still iffy. Still no word on sports betting. Not sure if it will be a standalone bill or included in the big gaming package. Not sure if the racetracks will be included and if they are, what we will earn. We could get nothing from sports betting, which will be a serious disappointment. Yet, we just need to keep fighting to get a fair share, until we are told no more. We will continue to meet with other legislators until a final, final decision is announced. The Governor and the leaders of the House and Senate continue to discuss this and other pertinent topics amongst themselves. The big picture is that at this point in time, we will know something either way in the next one to three days. If the bill doesn’t begin moving by Thursday, it’s over until November. I’ll let you know as it progresses.

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The horse racing industry (minus Arlington Park, who is currently wavering in their support of a gaming bill), is in agreement on the horse racing language portion of an anticipated major gaming package. This bill still does not have an official number yet and is still being debated at the leadership level (Governor, Speaker of the House, Senate President).   However, if allowed to move forward, this bill ensures harness racing a bright future. I wish I could be more specific with details, but there is simply too much uncertainty at this time.  As issues unfold, and they will in the next 1-8 days for better or worse, I’ll update everyone as quickly as possible.    Tony Somone, Executive Director – IHHA.

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