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Committee lays over bill to allow in‑state advanced deposit wagering at Canterbury Park
Summary
Lawmakers heard House File 43‑53 to permit advanced deposit wagering (ADW) on Minnesota races; proponents said the change would boost purses and benefit workers at Canterbury Park, while supporters acknowledged it is not a complete solution to industry decline. The bill was laid over as amended.
Representative Tabke (with Representative Tempe sponsoring/enacting the A26 amendment) presented House File 43‑53 to authorize advanced deposit wagering on in‑state live races and direct revenue to purses. Sponsors said Minnesota is one of few states that disallow wagering on local races and that the change would help restore competitive purses and support breeders, trainers and back‑side workers.
Tim Dipascali, former executive director of the Minnesota Racing Commission, and Randy Sampson, chair and CEO of Canterbury Park, told the committee allowing ADW on Minnesota races would keep wagering dollars supporting local purses and estimated it could add roughly $600,000 a year to purses. Sampson said extending ADW to in‑state races would help attract horses and sustain the broader racing economy.
Sally Mason, who works as an exercise rider at Canterbury Park, described how lower purses affect low‑paid workers and minority employees who make their living in the racing back‑side and urged lawmakers to support measures that preserve local livelihoods.
Representative Tabke laid HF4353 over as amended for further consideration; committee members signaled support for the industry goal while noting the measure alone will not resolve all economic challenges in racing.
