Back in the saddle? Utah lawmaker revives push to legalize horse race betting

Nearly a century after Utah banned betting on horse races, a state lawmaker is making another push to bring the thundering hooves and wagering windows back to the Beehive State. Sen. David Hinkins, R-Orangeville, is reviving his bid to legalize parimutuel horse racing, setting up another showdown over gambling in Utah.

Unlike regular horse racing, bettors on parimutuel racing compete against each other instead of the house. Bets on a race go into a common pool, and the money is distributed among the winners.

In 1926, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that parimutuel betting does not violate the state's constitutional gambling prohibition because the outcome depends on a horse's performance – skill instead of chance.

Proponents argue that allowing parimutuel racing would generate revenue for Utah instead of Idaho or Wyoming.

SB156 would allow parimutuel horse racing events only if voters in a particular county approve. It establishes a commission to oversee races and issue licenses. The bill also contains measures to prevent corruption and prohibits minors from wagering.

Hinkins' proposal is similar to his 2019 attempt to allow parimutuel horse racing. That bill never got out of the starting gate after opposition forced him to pull it.

In the early 1900s, horse racing was a popular event at the Utah State Fair, but the legislature banned it in 1913 after accusations of race fixing and reports of increased crime.

The Legislature legalized parimutuel racing in 1925, but concerns about corruption led to a ban in 1927.

In 1992, a coalition of horse breeders gathered enough signatures to place a referendum to legalize parimutuel racing on the ballot. However, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opposed the initiative. Voters rejected it 60-40%.