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Horse race gambling deal clears Minnesota House

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May 1, 2012 at 6:11 am

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Minnesota legislators have sent Gov. Mark Dayton a bill permitting more poker tables and higher betting limits at horse racing tracks and giving tribal casinos access to racing simulcasts.

The bill cleared the House by a 97-34 vote on Monday, following lopsided approval by the Senate days earlier.

The gambling plan surfaced over the weekend. It is said to be a deal between at least one tribe and operators of a horse track that has long pushed unsuccessfully for the right to have slot machines.

Supporters say the extra proceeds would be used to enhance racing purses, which in turn would aid the state's equine industry. It's not clear if tribes would, or could, take advantage of simulcast wagering.