Historical horse racing machines look like a slot terminal. Allowing people to bet on the outcome of previous races, they are being looked at as a way to fund the ailing California horse racing sector. But could they appear in the UK?
They sound like a quaint invention, and in many ways, they are. Also known as instant racing, these games were introduced in the United States in 2000. They allow players to bet on sporting events, such as horse racing, that have already taken place, using machines that resemble slots. But could they come to the UK and inject a vital income stream into the sport?
How Do Historical Horse Racing Machines Operate?
A round begins when a player makes their wager. A previous race from a bank of around 60,000 is then selected and placed on the screen. Players are then given a form guide, but not the date, location or time of the race. Thus, it is impossible for them to check up and cheat.
These HHR machines were introduced in Arkansas. The idea was that they could be used in states that did not allow slot machines but did allow parimutuel wagering. This is the term given to what is known as the totalizer, or Tote, in the United Kingdom. It differs from fixed odds as players bet and take money from a pool, from which the bookmaker takes a cut. Thus, they bet against other players rather than the bookie.
It is this totalizer concept that HHR machine winnings come from. Money goes into a pool and is divided into different winning criteria. These could include the outright winner, top three runners or first and second selections. If they win one of these, then they take the money from that pool. Others run over to other rounds until a player wins.
The machines look like slots, and have similar concepts. These games have grown exponentially popular across the globe, where no deposit free spins bonuses at online casinos have grown the people using them as a form of entertainment. Plenty of horse racing themed slots exist, so it makes sense that these wagering machine would be popular too.
Can Horse Racing Machines Save US Racing?
Looking at the statistics, US horse racing is not in good shape. In 2024, betting on its races declined by 3.35% year on year. Race days also fell by -2.37, with overall races falling by -2.82. Some of the reasons given, such as freak bad weather, were unavoidable. Yet a lack of funding and interest are the main culprits.
While there have been many suggestions that would help, such as a change to fixed odds betting, the United States’ patchwork of state gambling laws has not helped. One place where this is apparent is California, as tribal laws, state laws and those owning card rooms have blocked up progress, with the California racing sector bearing the brunt. This was evidenced in the closure of the historic Golden Gate Field track earlier this year.
HHR machines have been one suggestion to help the sport, as very often part of their purse is donated to racing. Case studies exist of their use in multiple states so far, from Kentucky, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Virginia and Wyoming. A consortium featuring members of 1/ST Racing, the Del Mar Turf Club, and the Thoroughbred Owners of California has been working hard to work out a deal with the tribes that would introduce them. It is the Tribes that have exclusive rights to slot machines, as denoted in Proposition 1A of 2000, under which these fall.
Could They Benefit UK Racing?
Historical horse racing machines are available outside the United States, in Malta. They were brought in 2024 at Izibingo, a bingo parlour operated by the country’s National Lottery.
The real question is how much they would benefit UK horse racing, and if they would actually be played. Slot machines are ubiquitous in UK pubs, with dedicated amusements housing them as well as casinos. The country also has its network of well-used bookmakers and racetracks. It seems unlikely that HHR machines in these places would be overlooked, especially at times such as late evening and early morning when the racing is not taking place.
The truth is that the UK already has similar machines in the form of virtual horse racing terminals. In these, a fantasy representation of a virtual race, with digitised horses and jockeys, takes place on screen. People can then place bets on them. A survey in 2007 claimed that over 17% of stakes made in the UK were on these, and even suggested that takings had remained strong for bookmakers due to them.
The United Kingdom also has something the United States does not: Nationwide access to online iGaming and wagering. In the US, this is decided on a state-by-state basis. Most people can access this type of game from their mobile device in the UK, making terminals somewhat obsolete. That is not the case in the United States.
If they were introduced, it would be a fun way for people to make a wager. Either in pubs, casinos or even motorway service stations, they would be a great complement to slots and could be a new income stream for UK racing.