Idaho gambling regulators have recently decided that they will supervise the gambling machines available on the territory of the state and as a result, the idea for establishment of a new committee whose members will be responsible for thoroughly monitoring all forms of gambling activities taking place in the state.
Mere hours ago, the House State Affairs Committee presented a bill that proposes a Gaming Commission to be established. The initial plan is the Commission to consist of seven members who will be responsible for keeping a close eye on the lottery, horse racing as well as the tribal gambling affairs in Idaho.
Once the Gaming Commission is formed, the existing lottery commission and racing regulators might be dissolved.
The Chairman Tom Loertscher, who introduced the proposal, commented on the matter and said that the idea for the establishment of a special Gaming Commission will definitely have a positive impact on the gambling affairs in Idaho as the regulation and therefore, the prevention of illegal practices, will be improved.
Idaho residents have been prohibited from using slot machines for a long time but the accusations of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe towards the horse-racing industry caused heated debates. According to the tribal leaders, there were slot machines installed in contradiction with the imposed ban. Anyway, the question about the legalization of the slot machines was brought back on the agenda.
However, the representatives of the horse-racing sector argued that the slot machines, managed by the tribe are separately run on reservation land and a competition between them and the electronic instant-racing betting terminals was impossible.
At the same time, the Lottery also adopted electronic equivalent of the pull-tabs and the amenity had striking resemblance to the slot machines.
Actually, during a hearing, a representative of the Racing Commission announced that there was nothing illegal about the horse racing betting machines. The announcement made the Idaho officials investigate the machines and make sure they are compatible with the state rules and regulations.
In point of fact, Idaho authorities paid the needed attention to the idea of establishing a gaming commission last month. During a hearing, concerning the prohibition of the instant horse racing, Brian Kane, the Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General, said that his team was not prepared to investigate any gambling related issues.
