BOISE, Idaho — Nearly 20 northern Idaho officials sent a letter to Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden on Wednesday urging the state to ban betting machines known as instant racing terminals.
The letter is the latest development in the fight over the legality of instant horse racing — betting on a previous horse race without any identifiable information. Roughly 250 machines have been installed in Idaho.
North Idaho College President Joe Dunlap, Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Widmeyer and former Lt. Gov. Jack Riggs were among the letter’s signers.
Idaho lawmakers are currently considering legislation backed by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe that would repeal the 2013 law that authorized instant horse racing in the state.
The tribe claims that the instant racing terminals are cleverly disguised illegal slot machines.
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