California Shuts Down Santa Anita’s Controversial Betting Machines After Legal Clash
Santa Anita Park’s trial of Historical Horse Racing machines came to a sudden halt over the weekend. On Saturday afternoon, law enforcement officers removed the betting terminals from the track. The move followed a dispute over whether the machines complied with California gambling laws.
The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) had already ordered their shutdown earlier in the weekend, citing concerns over wagering integrity. The machines had been installed just days before, without prior notice to regulators.
The betting terminals were placed in Santa Anita on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Track officials argued that the machines fell under pari-mutuel gambling rules, which govern traditional horse race wagering. However, Native American tribes—who oversee most non-pari-mutuel betting in California—claimed the devices were games of chance and thus under their legal control.
The tribes warned of a forceful response if the machines remained. By Saturday, the California Department of Justice intervened, physically removing the terminals. The CHRB had already acted, shutting down the systems on January 17-18 due to alleged regulatory breaches.
The conflict highlights a broader issue for California’s racing industry. Unlike other states, California does not benefit from casino-style gambling revenue, such as Historical Horse Racing. This financial gap puts the future of the sport in question, as tracks rely heavily on limited betting options.
The removal of the machines signals potential support from the state attorney general’s office for the tribes’ position. Santa Anita’s attempt to introduce new betting technology has now stalled, leaving the track without an alternative revenue stream.
Regulators and industry stakeholders must now address how to resolve the dispute. The outcome could shape the financial stability of horse racing in California for years to come.
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