Washington Horseracing

Washington horseracing has a long and colored history. Here are the highlights of Washington horseracing throughout the years:

• 1872 - Seattle Race Course opens - Pari-mutuel wagering formally begins
• 1889 - State Constitution ratified - lotteries (games of chance)prohibited
• 1901 - Spokane Race Track opens
• 1902 - Meadowlands Race Track (King County) opens - Pari-mutuel wageringoperated at track
• 1909 - Widespread bookmaking led to a prohibition of horse racing
• 1933 - Pari-mutuelbetting on horse races authorized - Washington Horse Racing Commission established
• 1933 - LongacresRace Track opens in Renton
• 1935 - PlayfairRace Course opens in Spokane
• 1937 - Slotmachine prohibition amended to allow operation by private or nonprofit clubsregistered with the Washington State Patrol
• 1952 - StateSupreme Court rules that the law authorizing clubs to operate slot machinesviolates constitutional prohibition against lotteries
• 1961 - YakimaMeadows Race Track opens
• 1972 - StateConstitution amended to allow gambling activities when authorized by 60%majority vote of the Legislature or 60% vote of the people
• 1973 - Social gambling opportunities authorized - Gambling Commissioncreated
• 1976 - First tribal casino opened on the Puyallup Reservation
• 1977 - Charitable and nonprofit organizations authorized to operate 'Reno Nights'
• 1981 - Simulcast wagering authorized on races of national or regionalinterest
• 1982 - State Lottery authorized
• 1983 - Large-scale tribal bingo games began operation
• 1987 - Satellite broadcasts of live, in-state horse races to off-trackbetting locations authorized
• 1988 - Indian Gaming Regulatory Act passed by Congress
• 1990 - Washington State Council on Problem Gambling created
• 1992 - First compact tribal casino opened
• 1992 - Final season at Longacres
• 1996 - Emerald Downs opens in Auburn
• 1997 - House-banked card rooms authorized
• 1998 - Single card simulcast wagering authorized
• 1998 - Washington Legislatures increases the number of commissionersfrom three to five
• 1998 - Playfair Race Course closes
• 1998 - Yakima Meadows closes
• 1999 - Tribes begin operating electronic gaming devices
• 2000 - Playfair Race Course reopens for one season
• 2001 - Full card simulcast wagering authorized
• 2002 - Lottery authorized to participate in multi-state game (MetaMillions)
• 2003 - Playfair opens for simulcast - no live racing conducted
• 2004 - Satellite facilities (off track betting) authorized to operateyear round
• 2005 - Advance deposit wagering authorized
• 2005 - Problem gambling treatment program established
• 2006 - WHRC funding incentives authorized "for the purpose of developingthe equine industry, maintaining, andupgrading facilities, and assisting in equine health research."
• 2009 - The WHRCassumes responsibility for processing both Washington-bred Owner Bonuses andBreeder Awards
• 2011 - WashingtonLegislature reduces the number of commissioners from five to three

Washington Horseracing Track

• Emerald Downs - Seattle

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