Michigan Senator Drums Up Support For Historical Horse Racing

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State Senator Dan Lauwers believed it was necessary to take action and draw attention to the Michigan historical horse racing bill.

In 2019, he tied the bill to his advance deposit wagering bill, believing that the combination of the two legislations could rejuvenate Michigan’s horse racing industry.

The duo effortlessly sailed through the Senate, along with the other gaming bills in the package aimed at modernizing Michigan’s gaming industry for the 21st century.

However, due to opposition from the casino industry, the historical horse racing (HHR) bill was facing obstacles. In order to ensure the passing of the ADW bill, he made the decision to break the tie bar. As a result of this compromise, he received a promise that the HHR bill would be given priority and considered this year.

Last month, Lauwers took action to link the historical horse racing bill, which has been inactive in the House all year, with the multistate poker bill as the session comes to a close.

Despite appearances of a failed endeavor, Lauwers successfully achieved his goal as there is now a revived push to pass the historical horse racing bill.

Committee move gets commitments to help

Lauwers, a member of the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee, recognized an opportunity when the legislation to permit multi-state online poker pools was passed. He cleverly tie-barred the bills together, ensuring that one cannot become law without the other.

Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., the author of the online poker fix, hurriedly approached the committee, urging them not to intertwine the bills’ destinies. His reasoning was that the casinos opposing S 661 actually desired the online poker legislation.

Hertel informed Lauwers that his level of interest in the multi-state pooling bill wasn’t sufficient to secure HHR’s approval.

Lauwers made a commitment not to link the bills together, and in return, Hertel promised to collaborate with the administration in identifying the requirements for the successful passage of S 661. Hertel played a crucial role in facilitating the agreement between the administration and casinos regarding online casino and sports betting last year.

Lauwers expressed that by linking this bill to the Hertel bill for interstate poker, it sparked a renewed conversation about addressing the bill that was neglected in the previous year. He commended Senator Hertel for his effective approach in finding compromises to garner sufficient support for accomplishing initiatives like this.

Why senator wants to boost Michigan horse racing

If historical horse racing is allowed, Sen. Jim Ananich, the sponsor of S 661, has a company that aims to revive Sports Creek Raceway in his district.

Lauwers became interested in the horse racing industry due to the significant presence of businesses related to it in the state. Within his district, there is a specific company that supplies hay and straw to racetracks. Additionally, Lauwers’ daughter happens to be a veterinarian specialized in caring for large animals.

Lauwers expressed concern over the decline of our horse racing businesses, which is resulting in significant job losses and decreased economic activity.

The horse racing industry is a robust economic force, comprising an entire sector. It saddens me to witness our state providing economic or financial incentives to attract new businesses while neglecting the revitalization of this once thriving industry due to our failure to implement policies in line with the modern era.

Getting MI historical horse racing to finish line

Casinos perceive historical horse racing machines as a rival slot machine product since they employ past horse racing outcomes to simulate gameplay.

Lauwers stated that the main obstacle we need to address is the current control the casino industry holds over the administration.

“The casino representatives express their complete opposition to it and are exerting significant pressure on the administration to prevent its approval.”

Lauwers is puzzled by the strong opposition from Michigan casinos towards historical horse racing. He fails to comprehend why two racetracks would be considered as a significant threat. From his perspective, it appears to be a matter of fairness to grant horse racing Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW) and Historical Horse Racing (HHR) opportunities, especially considering that the state has already allowed online gambling and sports betting for casinos and tribes.

Lauwers expressed his openness to Michigan casinos and tribes engaging in HHR by establishing their own racetracks. He emphasized that certain individuals who own gaming establishments in Michigan also possess horse tracks in different states.

Despite receiving little attention throughout the session, the HHR bill has gained significant momentum as the lame-duck session approaches. Lawmakers are well-acquainted with the bill and generally show support for it, as evidenced by the overwhelming Senate vote (376-38) in its favor last year.

Ananich, the Minority Leader in the Senate, along with Hertel, share a strong legislative alliance with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Lauwers is optimistic that their collaboration will secure the necessary administrative support for the bill to successfully pass in December.

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