In Illinois, Rep. Dwight Kay has introduced House Bill 6323, which calls for state racetracks to be able to introduce historical racing, also known as instant racing, to their facilities.
A report by nwitimes.com has cited Kay as saying that the move could help the state’s tracks.
Thoroughbred raceway Fairmount Park is in Kay’s district. He has said that the introduction of instant racing at state raceways could help the tracks.
Kay was quoted as saying, "This is just one stopgap to maybe help Fairmount and maybe some other tracks.” He later added that "The bill would buy some time for Fairmount."
He said that Fairmount is "trying to stay alive."
The article has also quoted Steve Brubaker of the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association as saying that the proposal is “worth reviewing,” but that the main goal of the IHHA is to see slot-machine gaming introduced at racetracks.
(With files from nwitimes.com)