Jon Kyl Opens Doors for Race Track OwnersChurchill Downs, Focus on Family welcome new Jon Kyl co-authored law that allows horse betting from one's own home
Senator Jon Kyl (R - Arizona) may be a foe to the online poker world but he's a close ally to the powerful horse racing lobbyists. In getting his co-authored legislation passed prohibiting online poker and sports betting, Kyl ensured that horse racing bets be exempt from the measure. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was signed into law by President Bush last October.
As such, betting on the horses online is now legal and that has helped create lofty expectations for track owners, not excluding Churchill Downs, and not inclusive to the United States either.
The President and CEO of Churchill Downs racetrack in Kentucky has hinted at wider ambitions for online betting activities through the company's Internet betting network.
Speaking to the Greater Louisville annual small business lunch gathering this week, Churchill Downs CEO Bob Evans hinted that his company's first venture into online account wagering, permitted due to the Jon Kyl assisted carve-outs in US anti-online gambling legislation, may not be its last.
Evans even revealed that Churchill's future plans could include extending its brands “to play other games” in countries where online gambling besides just horse racing is legal.
“Given the fact that the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs [and] Twin Spires are world renowned brands, why wouldn’t we use those brands to enter into businesses that are outside our traditional core of thoroughbred racing,” he said.
Focus on Family this week praised the UIGEA though they expressed concerns to President Bush over "insufficient" means for the US Treasury Department to differentiate "illegal online gambling" from "legal" transactions such as online horse bets. Having the Focus on Family behind a bill that permits Internet horse betting serves as a powerful support mechanism for the horse racing community.
A visit to the horse track is also widely viewed as a family activity. Now families across the US can enjoy this experience in the comfort of their own homes.
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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com
Originally published May 23, 2007 10:12 am ET
