Track operators, regulators and horsemen urge legislative help to offset federal integrity fees

Industry leaders and state regulators told the King County Regional Policy Committee on Feb. 12 that Washington’s horse-racing industry contributes millions in economic activity and supports hundreds of seasonal jobs, but it is under strain from falling wagering revenue and new federal regulatory costs.

Speakers including Ron Crockett (founder of Emerald Downs), Phil Ziegler (president, Emerald Downs), Amanda Benton (executive secretary, Washington Horse Racing Commission), Doug Moore (chair, Washington Horse Racing Commission) and Mary Anne O’Donnell (executive director, Washington Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association) presented data and asked for help from local elected officials in Olympia advocacy.

Crockett outlined the industry’s history in the region and urged elected leaders to raise the issue with state legislators, saying the industry “is extremely important and, hopefully, this group can, can give us a hand.”

Ziegler described the industry’s current revenue and regulatory pressures. He told the committee that Emerald Downs drew roughly 200,000 in attendance over its 55 racing days last year and that the facility supports about 100 year-round employees, roughly 200 seasonal staff and peaks at 400–500 track workers during the season; he added there are roughly 50–60 small businesses operating in the stable area and another ~500 people working on the property during peak season. Ziegler said the biggest immediate challenge is regulation: the federal Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act created a private regulator (HISA) and an anti-doping and medication-control structure that has imposed new assessment fees on the industry.

Amanda Benton, executive secretary of the Washington Horse Racing Commission, outlined the commission’s regulatory role and current finances. She said Emerald Downs is the only active racetrack in Washington and has 51 days scheduled for 2025 (April 27–Sept. 7). Benton said the commission issued 1,426 racing-related licenses in 2024 and an additional 481 licenses to others for a total of over 1,900 licenses, while the total number of licenses has declined about 22.5% over the past 10 years. She described a steep decline in the annual foal crop (Jockey Club data through 2022 shows the crop at about 12% of the 1999 foal crop) that underscores broader industry contraction.

Benton also described HISA-related assessments and their near-term impact: “Our 2025 assessment fee is 712,000 with potential credits for employing staff, which will lower the direct fee that we would pay to 424,000. We are also expecting to pay it this year, but next year, the fee will go to almost 1,300,000.0. This is an amount we simply do not have the ability to pay.” She warned that failure to pay assessment fees could restrict Emerald Downs’ ability to sell its signal to other states, further reducing revenue.

Doug Moore and other speakers said they are pursuing legislation in Olympia to address funding and regulatory issues; Moore described two bills: one to streamline the commission’s enabling statute and another to create a fund to assist the industry with regulatory costs.

Mary Anne O’Donnell, representing the Washington HBPA, said the regionwide economic footprint is broad and includes breeders, training centers, veterinarians, farriers and hay suppliers. She said owners will invest over $26,000,000 in 2025 to keep horses in training at Emerald Downs and that layoffs and closures of farms would have ripple effects on housing and employment for track workers.

Speakers asked mayors and council members to contact state legislators and to consider local government staff coordination to support the industry’s legislative requests. Several elected officials on the committee praised Emerald Downs’ role as a regional attraction and urged colleagues to track the Olympia bills staff will circulate to jurisdictions.

Committee members and staff said they would circulate the bill numbers and packet materials the presenters referenced so local governments can follow up with Olympia contacts.