During the Fremont County Commissioners’ regular meeting on October 20th with a vote of 4-1, Resolution NO. 2020-22 was approved – allowing “307 Horse Racing, LLC to conduct pari-mutuel wagering on live horse racing, historic horse racing, simulcast events, and rodeo events within Fremont County, Wyoming.”
The Gillette-based gaming business is looking to put in one off-track betting, more commonly known by its acronym OTB, facility in Riverton named “The Starting Gates” located at the former Spur Restaurant. Following today’s approval, 307 Horse Racing owner Randy Greer plans to present the signed resolution to Riverton City Administrator Tony Tolstedt who will then add it to the Riverton City Council meeting agenda next month; likely the November 3rd meeting.
If an OTB facility were to be opened in Riverton, it would be regulated by the Wyoming Gaming Commission. Which, according to Greer, is “very heavy regulation.” The current floor plan for the Riverton OTB location would house 30 terminals which are similar to a slot machine for pari-mutuel wagering.
307 Horse Racing recently obtained their gaming license in the State of Wyoming. With this license they became the state’s third operator; joining Wyoming Downs and Wyoming Horse Racing – both based in Evanston, but have OTB facilities across the state. A list of OTB locations in Wyoming can be found here.
A report shared during today’s proposal meeting shows between January 1st, 2020, and June 30th, 2020 the revenue generated for cities/counties by Wyoming OTB locations totaled over $2.8M. You can read the city/county revenue breakdown by clicking here.
A requirement for having this gaming license is hosting live horse races. 307 Horse Racing has leased the Cam-Plex in Gillette for a few months where they will host their first races starting in 2021.
Click here to read the resolution passed by Fremont County Commissioners Mike Jones, Larry Allen, Jennifer McCarty, and Chair Travis Becker. Commissioner Clarence Thomas was the only “nay” on the motion during the meeting. The Commission’s approval is contingent upon the City of Riverton’s approval.
You can also read more about historic horse racing on the Wyoming Gaming Commission website found here.