SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Texas Racing Commission (TRC) has reached a legislative deal for funding to be granted by the state for the next three months, allowing for state race and dog tracks to re-open. However racing operations in Texas remain under threat regarding a standoff over long term funding.
On Tuesday evening, Governor Dan Patrick approved the Legislative Budget Board to release funds for the TRC. TRC governance continues to negotiate its two year funding for a requested $15.5 million budget.
Nevertheless Texas racing operations have been criticized by Republican Senators who claim that the TRC has breached regulations by allowing ‘racing simulation’ (virtual racing) machines to be operated in state licensed race tracks.
The opposition had created numerous delays in the yearly budget requested by the TRC to operate its tracks.
Due to the ongoing standoff, TRC missed the state budget deadline which had been approved on Monday, when a new fiscal year commenced. Thus forcing TRC governance were forced to stop operations on its tracks.
TRC governance were content that Governor Patrick had granted its operations 90 days funding, so that it could pay administrative and payroll costs. Management assured customers that all state race tracks would be open this week.
