Though Sam Houston announced earlier this week that simulcast wagering would resume on Friday, following recent developments in the ongoing HISA court cases, that decision has since been delayed.
In a letter dated Feb. 1 to all occupational and business licensees of the Texas Racing Commission, commission executive director Amy Cook wrote that the federal law creating the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority “has no effect on the state of Texas.” That position was taken after an order on Jan. 31 from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that it would not vacate its November opinion finding the law “facially unconstitutional.”
HISA and the Federal Trade Commission had asked the Fifth Circuit to reconsider that November opinion in light of an amendment passed by Congress in late December intended to address the constitutional questions affirmed by the appellate court in a lawsuit filed by the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and numerous affiliates.
Sam Houston released the following statement on Friday:
Sam Houston Race Park previously announced that interstate simulcast wagering would resume at all locations today, Feb. 3, 2023. Since that announcement, we have determined that more time is needed to fully evaluate the many legal complexities surrounding recent court decisions and the HISA amendment enacted by Congress at the end of last year.
While we are eager to export our signal across the country, our commitment to maintaining federal and state compliance remains our top priority. We will export our signal across state lines when we are confident that it can be done in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Until then, we will only broadcast our signal throughout Texas and to approved international locations but will not simulcast to any other lcoations in the United States. During this time, racing at Sam Houston Race Park will continue to be governed by the Texas Racing Act. We appreciate the continued support of the Texas Racing Commission and Texas racing industry in working through the many complicated matters surrounding this issue.
We will keep all our valued simulcast partners and stakeholders apprised of any developments regarding this matter.
Read more about the Texas Racing Commission's recent actions here.
The post ‘More Time Needed’: Sam Houston Delays Simulcasting Return Due To ‘Legal Complexities’ Of HISA appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
