The Supreme Court of Louisiana ruled against four race tracks, declaring a statute legalizing historical horse racing machines unconstitutional due to lack of local voter approval. Lawsuits were brought by local voters and residents against entities that own Delta Downs, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Louisiana Downs, and Evangeline Downs. The ruling, handed down on March 21, is expected to result in cuts to purses for at least one track operator.

Historical horse racing (HHR) gaming operations began in Louisiana in 2021 after the state legislature passed a law incorporating HHR as a form of pari-mutuel wagering. The ruling against the tracks came after lawsuits challenged gaming on HHR machines that visually resemble slot machines. The state supreme court decision will have significant impacts on the race tracks involved, potentially leading to financial losses and operational changes.

The ruling by the Supreme Court of Louisiana highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding historical horse racing machines in the state. The decision to declare the statute legalizing HHR unconstitutional without local voter approval is a setback for the race tracks involved, as they now face the prospect of reduced purses and other operational challenges. The outcome of this ruling could have broader implications for the future of gaming in Louisiana.