Santa Anita installed Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machines—slot-like terminals allowing bets on past horse races—without prior notice or approval from the California Horse Racing Board. However, just days after a soft launch, state Department of Justice officials, accompanied by local police, confiscated the machines, citing potential violations of gambling laws. The move was reportedly influenced by powerful tribal gaming interests, which argue the machines violate tribal compacts by constituting unauthorized gambling, while Santa Anita maintains the machines comply with pari-mutuel wagering rules and represent a game of skill rather than chance.

The dispute highlights a broader conflict over gambling regulation in California, where tribes control most non-pari-mutuel wagering and contribute significantly to political campaigns. Santa Anita and its legal backers assert their position is legally sound and are prepared to defend it in court. The outcome could impact the future of California horse racing, which currently lacks supplemental casino gambling revenue that other states use to boost purses. Despite modest initial betting on the machines, the potential for increased purses through HHR remains a key motivation behind Santa Anita’s push.