Tracks Lose Lawsuit

The horse racing industry in Michigan has been lobbying for slot machines at their tracks. They maintain that there are so many other tracks that offer slot machines that they cannot compete. Those tracks that allow slot machines are able to give away larger purses than those that don’t, and the tracks know that this is not going to change. They know that the better horses are all going where they can get higher payoffs, and thus they have requested slot machines.

Now that Detroit is going to be allowed three casinos, they know that these slot machines are going to be an even bigger draw than the tracks are. They say that in order to make it a level playing field, if you are going to give the state casinos then you have to give the tracks slot machines. However, the state disagrees.

The 2004 vote that amended the Michigan Constitution t allow three casinos in Detroit, also banned slot machines at racetracks. It said that without a state wide vote, slot machines would not be allowed at the tracks. The horse racing industry obviously got very upset by this vote and has been working to change it.

Northville Downs, Mount Pleasant Meadows, and the Great Lakes Quarter Horse Association decided to sue the state. They maintained that it was unconstitutional and that it violated both the First Amendment and the Commerce and Equal Protection clauses.

However, a Detroit federal judge says that they have no case and has dismissed the lawsuit. The tracks say that they want their slot machines as well as fair treatment and that they are going to appeal.

 

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