California Approves Off Track Betting Sites

In an effort to pump new blood into the struggling horse racing industry California legislators have approved new off track betting sites. The approved counties include Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura. There will be fifteen new Off Track Betting (OTB) wagering sites. Last year horse races in California drew wagers of $4.4 billion.

The first of these new sites is the Commerce Casino located at 6131 Telegraph Road in Commerce, California, and it will serve as a test model to gauge the success of the initiative during these trying economic times. The Racebook at Commerce opened in July of 2009 and features mini satellite wagering from California and Eastern United States race tracks. There are 26 television screens available for viewing the races so every one is guaranteed to get a good seat.

State and gaming officials are hopeful that the Commerce will be the first of forty-five new ‘mini satellite’ sites that will be allowed to take up residence in not only casinos but also sports bars, card clubs and other gathering spots. These will be in addition to the 34 betting facilities already in operation at racetracks, tribal casinos and fairgrounds.

Under the new law, approved businesses can file an application with the California Horse Racing Board for one of the 45 new sites to be granted across the state. Fifteen of these sites reside in each of three racing zones. The new sites have to be located at least twenty miles from any existing satellite wagering facility unless they have permission from the operators of that site.

It is possible that people who patronize the racetracks will take their business to the OTB sites. The larger, more popular racetracks including Hollywood, Del Mar, and Santa Anna will benefit in the long run because they will collect a share of every bet placed at the OTB sites on all races run at their respective parks. There is also the possibility that people who have never been to a racetrack would take the opportunity to check out the action at the casino’s where they already do business.