Washington Horse Racing Commission renews Naira Bets ADW license, authorizes HISA agreement as officials warn of industry pressures
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Summary
The Washington Horse Racing Commission approved a renewal of Naira Bets' advanced-deposit wagering license, authorized staff to sign a voluntary HISA implementation agreement that increases laboratory and testing credits for 2026, and heard commissioners warn that new wagering technologies and stalled legislative options threaten smaller tracks.
The Washington Horse Racing Commission voted to renew Naira Bets' advanced-deposit wagering (ADW) license and authorized staff to finalize a voluntary implementation agreement with the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority (HISA) during its April 17 meeting at Emerald Downs.
Chair Doug Moore called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and, following staff presentations, commissioners approved Naira Bets' license for the term beginning July 15, 2026 and running through July 24, 2027. Executive Secretary Amanda Benton told commissioners the company paid the $1,000 fee and that 2025 wagering in Washington totaled $3,764,275 with source-market fees of $244,677.90; wagering and source-market fees were both up 6.7% compared with 2024 and up 23.9% over five years. Commissioners moved and seconded the license renewal and approved it by voice vote.
Benton also presented the commission's proposed voluntary implementation agreement with HISA. The redline agreement updates laboratory arrangements — specifying that equine samples will be sent to the Kenneth L. Matty Equine Analytical Laboratory at the University of California, Davis, rather than Industrial Labs — and increases the 2026 testing credits to a total of $330,000 (allocated as $246,000 for post-race testing, $34,000 for TCO2 testing, and $50,000 for out-of-competition testing). Benton said the agreement language removing commission payment of assessment fees was accepted and that the agency attorney reviewed the document with no concerns. Commissioners voted to give Benton authority to sign the agreement and to make last-minute amendments as needed, with a commitment to report back to the commission.
Representatives of Naira Bets told the commission they had made a single operational change to the application since filing: delaying an inactivity/account-maintenance fee from six months to one year. Company representatives said they continue to monitor distribution and broadcast changes in the wagering media landscape and will adapt as needed.
Commission staff also presented financial updates showing a drop in some revenue measures: March pari-mutuel wagering handle was $2,696,211.70, down 26.3% from 2025, and distributions to the operating account in March fell to $35,050.84 (a 57.5% decrease). Amanda Benton said February ADW handle was $6,402,502.39 (down 12.5% year over year) and that higher source-market fee rates (raised from 6% to 10%) offset some shortfalls. The commission's current fund balance and biennium projections were presented; Benton said projections include a legislatively approved one-time transfer of $288,000 expected near July 1.
Industry representatives at Emerald Downs and the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) reported concerns about a reduced local horse population, staffing shortages and the need for coordinated recruitment before the May opening. Phil Ziegler of Emerald Downs said the on-track population is below recent peaks and that opening-day fields may be smaller until other tracks close for the season. HBPA representative Pat confirmed a contract extension with Emerald Downs for the 2026 meet and said the horsemen plan a general meeting in mid-May to discuss HISA, workforce issues and legislative strategy.
Commissioners spent significant time discussing long-term industry viability. Chair Moore described multiple proposals the industry has explored — including historical horse racing, tax rebate models and fixed-odds wagering used in other states — and said the commission has repeatedly met resistance in legislative or tribal consultations. He urged commissioners and ex officio legislators to pursue options that do not rely solely on state general-fund support. An ex-officio member with legislative experience cautioned that any major wagering policy change requires tribal engagement and a long lead time for an agency-request approach; Senator Kaufman offered to meet with commission leadership to discuss options.
The meeting ended after commissioners approved travel for opening-day operations; Chair Moore adjourned the meeting at 10:15 a.m.
Next steps: the commission will sign and circulate the Naira Bets order as proof of licensure and Amanda Benton will execute the HISA voluntary implementation agreement as authorized, reporting back on any last-minute amendments.
