Law enforcement officials removed Santa Anita Park’s newly installed “Racing On Demand” gaming terminals just two days after their rollout, following concerns about their legality. These pari-mutuel devices, developed by PariMAX (a subsidiary of Santa Anita owner 1/ST Racing), allow wagers on previously run horse races and were introduced without formal public notice. Despite 1/ST Racing’s assertion that the machines comply with California law and the California Horse Racing Board’s prior approval of the wager type, opposition from local tribes and anti-gaming groups prompted a law enforcement evaluation.

Scott Daruty, senior vice president of 1/ST Racing, defended the product as a means to help California racing compete with other states that benefit from alternative gaming revenue, emphasizing their confidence in the legal basis for the terminals. He noted that the Attorney General had received their legal analysis nearly a year ago without raising concerns, and the company is prepared to defend its position as the state now challenges the devices.