Santa Anita Files Lawsuit Against California Department of Justice Over Slot Machine-Style Parimutuel Games
In a recent legal development, Santa Anita has taken a stand against the California Department of Justice (DOJ) by filing a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court. The track's legal action stems from the removal of Racing on Demand slot machine-style parimutuel games, which were taken out by state law enforcement officers on Saturday afternoon.
The lawsuit, filed by the Los Angeles Turf Club, presents a compelling argument centered on the legal status of these games. It highlights how the three-by-three wager, approved by the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) in 2024, provides Santa Anita with the necessary legal cover to operate the machines, which use previously run races. The suit emphasizes that both the state attorney general's office and the CHRB had ample time to decide on the legality of the machines but failed to do so.
A key point in the lawsuit is the 2006 ruling by the California Office of Legislative Counsel on Instant Racing. This ruling, similar to Santa Anita's argument, concluded that there is no requirement in the California Constitution for races to be live or simultaneous to be considered horse races. As a result, the historic races used by the Instant Racing machines would be considered horse races that can be regulated by the Legislature.
The machines in question, operating in the Santa Anita grandstand pavilion, offered $1 bets and required gamblers to select the first three finishers of three random six-horse races that had already been run. Their removal was a public affair, with state DOJ personnel wheeling the machines out of the grandstand on gurneys during the racing event.
Santa Anita's senior vice-president, Scott Daruty, issued a statement defending the track's legal position. He noted that the state attorney general, Rob Bonta, received their legal analysis nearly a year ago and had ample time to raise concerns. Daruty expressed confidence in the law's clarity and stated that they are prepared to defend themselves against the state's challenge.
The lawsuit seeks the return of the machines and the money they held. The DOJ had issued a warning, stating that the confiscated machines would be destroyed after 30 days unless a court intervenes. This 30-day window began on January 17, and any money seized will be turned over to the city or county treasury where the machines were seized, in this case, the City of Arcadia.
