Simulcast Racing Same as Slot Machines

The Virginia Association of Independent Baptists is upset because a new gaming machine that the Virginia Senate is trying to pass seems a whole lot like slot machines to them. They say that no matter what you call them, they are slot machines, referring to the fact that the legislature keeps calling them pre-recorded horse racing games. They say there is no difference to the game, and that slot machines would be an expansion of gambling which they are opposed to.

The House vetoed a similar bill the day before the Senate passed one that was just like it, and those that are for the bill say they know they have a tough fight ahead of them if they want to see the machines legalized. They say that these are simulcast machines, not slot machines, and say that they are two very different entities. They say that the people have already approved pari-mutuel racing for the last twenty years, so this is no different.

They know that the machines would bring in much needed money for transportation. The roads in the state are badly in need of repair, and there just isn’t money in the state budget to handle it. Therefore, they believe that by legalizing these “slot machine” type games that they can raise millions to correct the problems they are having.

The state would not put any money up front, and from the first dollar would be making money. The Senate says it is truly a win-win scenario. The breakdown of the slot machine revenue would be 50.5% to transportation, 1.5% to the area where the off track betting parlors are, .5% to tourism, 3% to the horsemen, and 44.5% to Colonial Downs and their satellite facilities.

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