Idaho governor Butch Otter and the operator of Les Bois Park are attempting to make the thoroughbred venue the first North American jurisdiction to implement legalized virtual horse racing for pari-mutuel purposes.
The news comes today in a report on idahostatesman.com, which states that the product would be simulcasted. The backers of the plan are saying that the new product is not to the replace the real-life racing product, but to revive it.
"When virtual racing was presented to the governor's office, we saw tremendous potential for the horse racing industry in Idaho," David Hensley, governor Otter's attorney, was quoted as saying in the article. Hensley also stated that "it's clear there are questions about this innovative process."
Stephen Bieri -- the owner of Capitol Racing, which operates Les Bois Park -- owns 30 per cent of the company that has designed the software for the virtual racing. The software apparently features a stable of 5,000 horses with different speeds, endurance and other traits.
"This is no more meant to replace live racing than the man in the moon," Bieri was quoted as telling legislators. "This is meant to supplement live racing. ... If it doesn't come here, it will go to another state."
To read the idahostatesman.com article in its entirety, click here.
(With files from idahostatesman.com)