Boise, ID - April 23, 2011 - Simulcast betting on horse racing as well as pari-mutuel betting is already legal in Idaho. But an amendment to the existing law signed by Gov. Butch Otter will change the complexion of simulcast betting by allowing simulcast facilities to transfer licenses within the county.

Essentially, this allows simulcast horse betting from venues other than a live horse racing facility, which is now the only locale where such bets are permitted. Since the tracks throughout Idaho that have horse racing and betting are mostly at county fairgrounds, the facilities aren’t always the best suited for attracting betters.

Off-track betting facilities should offer quality seating, food and other incentives to attract paying customers to bet on races, according to supporters of the bill.

Under the bill (H 191), carried in the House by Rep. Carlos Bilbao, R-Emmett, each of the county fairs with a simulcast license could offer off-track betting in the same county — or negotiate with another county — to set up shop, provided local government officials sign off on such deals. If they decide there is no suitable place in the existing county and wish to transfer the license to another county, that county must not have had any type of horse racing for the previous five years.