Representatives of Indiana’s horse racing and breeding industry are
lobbying against part of the proposed state budget that would reduce its
share of revenue from racetrack gaming by about 55%.
A section of the two-year budget bill under consideration was
modified to cap the amount racing and breeding receives from slot
machines at $27 million. Last year the three racing breeds in the
state—Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and Quarter Horse—earned $60 million
in gaming revenue.
“As a business and horse racing industry consultant, I know of no
business or industry that can lose over half its revenue and survive,
let along thrive,” said Ed Martin Jr., a legislative consultant.
Michael Brown, executive director of the Indiana Horsemen’s
Benevolent and Protective Association, said industry representatives
will have a chance to discuss growth in the horse industry because of
gaming during a March 24 hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
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