Santa Anita Park has introduced Racing On Demand terminals, allowing patrons to place pari-mutuel wagers on previously run horse races at their convenience, rather than waiting for scheduled race times. These self-service machines, currently numbering 26 and located in the former Horse Wizard Lounge, aim to boost revenue and increase purses, addressing a longstanding challenge in California’s racing industry where purses lag behind other states due to the absence of alternative gaming revenues like slot or historical horse racing (HHR) machines.

While Racing On Demand wagering is legal under California law as pari-mutuel betting on real horse races, questions remain about potential conflicts with Native American tribes’ exclusive rights to casino-style gaming on tribal lands. Santa Anita management argues these terminals do not violate tribal exclusivity since they are not casino gaming but regulated horse race wagering. The Stronach Group, owners of Santa Anita, has conducted extensive legal reviews and engaged with regulatory bodies, expressing confidence that the new wagering format complies with state law and will receive necessary approvals from the Attorney General’s office and the California Horse Racing Board.