Horse Racing in Washington Milestones

The following events have directly or indirectly affected the pari-mutuel horse racing industry in the State of Washington:
  • 1872 Seattle Race Course opens – Pari-mutuel wagering formally begins
  • 1889 State Constitution ratified – lotteries (games of chance) prohibited
  • 1901 Spokane Race Track opens
  • 1902 Meadows Race Track (King County) opens – Pari-mutuel wagering operated at track
  • 1909 Widespread bookmaking led to a prohibition of horse racing
  • 1933 Pari-mutuel betting on horse races authorized – Washington Horse Racing Commission established
  • 1933 Longacres Race Track opens in Renton
  • 1935 Playfair Race Course opens in Spokane
  • 1937 Slot-machine prohibition amended to allow operation by private or nonprofit clubs registered with the Washington State Patrol
  • 1952 State Supreme Court rules that the law authorizing clubs to operate slot machines violates constitutional prohibition against lotteries
  • 1961 Yakima Meadows Race Track opens
  • 1972 State Constitution amended to allow gambling activities when authorized by 60% majority vote of the Legislature or 60% vote of the people
  • 1973 Social gambling opportunities authorized – Gambling Commission created
  • 1976 First tribal casino opened on the Puyallup Reservation
  • 1977 Charitable and nonprofit organizations authorized to operate ‘Reno Nights’
  • 1981 Simulcast wagering authorized on races of national or regional interest
  • 1982 State Lottery authorized
  • 1983 Large-scale tribal bingo games began operation
  • 1987 Satellite broadcasts of live, in-state horse races to off-track betting locations authorized
  • 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act passed by Congress
  • 1990 Washington State Council on Problem Gambling created
  • 1992 First compact tribal casino opened
  • 1992 Final season at Longacres
  • 1996 Emerald Downs opens in Auburn
  • 1997 House-banked card rooms authorized
  • 1998 Single card simulcast wagering authorized
  • 1998 Washington Legislatures increases the number of commissioners from three to five
  • 1998 Playfair Race Course closes
  • 1998 Yakima Meadows closes
  • 1999 Tribes begin operating electronic gaming devices
  • 2000 Playfair Race Course reopens for one season
  • 2001 Full card simulcast wagering authorized
  • 2002 Lottery authorized to participate in multi-state game (Mega Millions)
  • 2003 Playfair opens for simulcast – no live racing conducted
  • 2004 Satellite facilities (off track betting) authorized to operate year-round
  • 2005 Advance deposit wagering authorized
  • 2005 Problem gambling treatment program established
  • 2006 WHRC funding incentives authorized "for the purpose of developing the equine industry, maintaining, and upgrading facilities, and assisting in equine health research."
  • 2009 The WHRC assumes responsibility for processing both Washington-bred Owner Bonuses and Breeder Awards
  • 2011 Washington Legislature reduces the number of commissioners from five to three
  • 2015 Muckleshoot Tribe - dba Emerald Downs Racing LLC takes over operation of Emerald Downs.