Horse racing in Weston County?

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Wyoming Downs, a live horse racing and simulcast off-track facilities, is looking to bring their betting machines into Weston County. 
During the March 3 Weston County  Commission meeting, the commissioners expressed support for the idea during  a discussion with Jill Jerrard, Wyoming Downs public relations specialist.
The commissioners determined, however, that they needed time before passing a resolution. The board tabled the resolution and will reconsider the topic on March 16. 
According to its website, the Wyoming Downs Racetrack is the largest and only privately owned racetrack in Wyoming, located 10 miles north of Evanston. The company also offers off-track betting in Laramie, Cheyenne, Casper, Evansville, Sheridan and Rock Springs. 
The company reports a payout of $4.2 million in taxes to cities and counties across the state in 2019, according to Jerrard. A share of that money would come to Weston County, Newcastle and Upton once machines were in place. 
Jerrard explained that the company hoped to have a resolution providing blanket access to bars in Weston County. This resolution, she said, would allow for up to four machines to be placed in any bar in Weston County, unless the municipalities of Upton or Newcastle restricted the gambling devices. 
While passing the resolution would give Wyoming Downs access to Weston County locations, Jerrard reported that each specific location would be heavily reviewed and vetted by the Wyoming Gaming Commission. 
“We have to approve the machines and locations. Blanket resolutions are not how the commission works,” Jerrard said. “They go site by site, location by location. It is a long process. … Everything has to be signed off on; there is scrutinizing in every location.” 
Before approval is granted to a location, the gaming commission requires blueprints of the bar, several cameras placed to monitor the machines, each individual machine examined and approved and the licensing of all employees working
with the machine through the commission, she said. Jerrard noted that training and licensing fees are absorbed by Wyoming Downs. 
“We feel it is our reasonability to pay for the training and licensing. They have to be fingerprinted, have background checks and be licensed, and we cover all of that. We then do additional training on how the machines work when we go in,” Jerrard said. 
Commissioner Don Taylor questioned whether the board wanted to approve a blanket variance or if the commissioners should review each business that would receive the machines. Commissioner Nathan Todd also expressed concerns about underage use. 
“There is nothing that compels the board to do blanket approval if they don’t want to. The statute doesn’t require you to approve one (individual business). You can nix it. You have the power to stop it,” said Alex Berger, the county attorney. “I will say that the gaming commission is really powerful, and they do an excellent job of regulating. They have policy that matters, and they are a state entity that can be trusted to make sure it is done right.” 
Chairman Marty Ertman expressed a personal dilemma with the board reviewing every business because “we could play the personality thing.” 
“I would rather them go through the process and have a non-local entity decide. Especially if they have to go through training,” Ertman said. 
“We would be adding another layer of bureaucracy. We are either for private property or not,” Ertman continued. “I understand what you are saying, but as a private business owner, I should be able to do as I choose.” 
She said that the city of Newcastle and town of Upton have the authority to pass ordinances, which require three public hearings, if they choose to restrict the machines in city or town limits. 
As for underage use, Jerrard said that the company will only put their machines in bars, where it is assumed that age-restrictive laws are already being followed. 
Despite a consensus in support of Wyoming Downs bringing its business to Newcastle, the commissioners felt they needed more time before putting a resolution to a vote.