It has been reported that on Tuesday, July 28 the Michigan Gaming Control Board issued a two-year racing licence for the fairgrounds in Jackson County, which last hosted live harness racing back in 2009.
The news comes courtesy of a report on mlive.com which has quoted the gaming board’s executive director, Richard Kalm, as saying that an operator must be identified before the process advances any further.
Kalm also explained that the identified operator must also have financial backing to support live harness racing at the facility.
"If the county finds an operator with sufficient financial resources, the MGCB will consider a horse race meeting license for the track," Kalm was quoted as saying. "We must approve both licenses before racing can begin."
Last June, Jackson Raceway, LLC – which is owned by Brett Boyd, the former president of Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association – was allowed to lease the fairgrounds track for a two-year period (the lease could also be extended to five years).
Additionally, it was reported earlier this week that the MGCB has granted Michigan’s Northville Downs to host an additional 28 dates of live racing for this calendar year.
(With files from mlive.com)