By Tony McVeigh
Murray, KY – After approving regulations allowing Instant Racing, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission asked the courts to decide if electronic wagering on previously run horse races is legal under state pari-mutuel laws. Martin Cothran of the Family Foundation of Kentucky says it is not.
"The idea that you can bet on movies of dead horses and call that live racing is simply not allowed in Kentucky law."
The racing commission, eight horse tracks and the Kentucky Revenue Department have 15 days to respond to the Foundation's latest legal brief, which is two-and-a-half-inches thick. Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate tells Kentucky Public Radio he intends to make a ruling in the case before January. Next month, the Instant Racing regulations approved in July go before a legislative oversight panel.