Horse tracks verses tribal gaming

Last year, Oklahomans approved a plan to save the state's horse industry by allowing horse tracks to offer electronic gaming. <br/><br/>Under state question 712, three of the state's racetracks

Wednesday, July 13th 2005, 9:39 am

By: News On 6

Last year, Oklahomans approved a plan to save the state's horse industry by allowing horse tracks to offer electronic gaming.

Under state question 712, three of the state's racetracks put in a limited number of gaming machines and at the same time, Oklahoma created gaming compacts with the tribes. It was hailed as a major victory for Governor Brad Henry and the horse industry.

State Representative Odelia Dank of Oklahoma City says the plan gives Oklahoma tribes too much room to expand their gaming and puts the tracks at a competitive disadvantage. "I think that the racetracks in the short run are going to get a shot in the arm, it will help compared to where they were before, but in the long run, have we stopped the hemorrhaging."

Officials in the horse industry don't necessarily agree with Dank's thinking, they say they don't think they'll have any trouble drawing customers.