TX: Up to 50 Illegal Tracks
Dec 3, 2013 13:31:34 GMT -5
Post by Jon on Dec 3, 2013 13:31:34 GMT -5
One way around take-outs and high costs for the player and drugs for the trainers.
Officials: Up to 50 illegal horse tracks in Texas
By Journal Staff
Albuquerque Journal
HOUSTON – The Texas Racing Commission says as many as 50 illegal horse racetracks operate in the state, fueling concerns about illicit gambling, the safety of jockeys and horses, and unfair competition for registered racing venues.
Authorities recently raided at least two tracks where betting occurred and say the wagers were at least partly fueled by drug money, the Houston Chronicle reported. Also, in October, they raided an illegal racing business east of Dallas, finding anabolic steroids, stolen cars and stolen guns.
The commission oversees the state’s five registered tracks, while the Texas Department of Public Safety is in charge of investigating illegal activity. Operating a racetrack in Texas does not require special permits, but operators do need to pay a licensing fee that ranges from $70,000 to $500,000.
The Texas Legislature created the Racing Commission to regulate the industry in the 1980s but there are still unlicensed tracks; about two are reported to Texas DPS every year.
Authorities fear illegal tracks siphon customers from registered venues and evade taxes. They also say lack of oversight may be dangerous for jockeys and racehorses.
Some of the unregulated facilities are accused of selling alcohol without permits, animal cruelty and drug trafficking, the newspaper reported.
“A lot of traffickers go there with a lot of money,” said Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations with the Drug Enforcement Administration. “They can bet hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
At one of the tracks raided in March, “Los Ladrilleros” in Liberty County, the owners were charged with money laundering. Dennis Yates, attorney for the family that owns the track, denied the charge, saying the family bought the track to earn extra money.
A DPS investigator said about 200-1,000 people showed up at the racing events; the track charged $20 per car.
Officials: Up to 50 illegal horse tracks in Texas
By Journal Staff
Albuquerque Journal
HOUSTON – The Texas Racing Commission says as many as 50 illegal horse racetracks operate in the state, fueling concerns about illicit gambling, the safety of jockeys and horses, and unfair competition for registered racing venues.
Authorities recently raided at least two tracks where betting occurred and say the wagers were at least partly fueled by drug money, the Houston Chronicle reported. Also, in October, they raided an illegal racing business east of Dallas, finding anabolic steroids, stolen cars and stolen guns.
The commission oversees the state’s five registered tracks, while the Texas Department of Public Safety is in charge of investigating illegal activity. Operating a racetrack in Texas does not require special permits, but operators do need to pay a licensing fee that ranges from $70,000 to $500,000.
The Texas Legislature created the Racing Commission to regulate the industry in the 1980s but there are still unlicensed tracks; about two are reported to Texas DPS every year.
Authorities fear illegal tracks siphon customers from registered venues and evade taxes. They also say lack of oversight may be dangerous for jockeys and racehorses.
Some of the unregulated facilities are accused of selling alcohol without permits, animal cruelty and drug trafficking, the newspaper reported.
“A lot of traffickers go there with a lot of money,” said Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations with the Drug Enforcement Administration. “They can bet hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
At one of the tracks raided in March, “Los Ladrilleros” in Liberty County, the owners were charged with money laundering. Dennis Yates, attorney for the family that owns the track, denied the charge, saying the family bought the track to earn extra money.
A DPS investigator said about 200-1,000 people showed up at the racing events; the track charged $20 per car.
