Parimutuel wagering moves forward

Green River is one step closer to having parimutuel wagering coming to the city.

During the Sweetwater County Commissioners meeting Tuesday morning, the Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to allowing Wyoming Downs, LLC, to conduct parimutuel wagering on live horse racing, historic horse racing and simulcast events at the Town Bar and Grill.

In an interview, Cliff McCarlie, Wyoming Downs representative and manager at Evanston’s live horse track, said they plan to have 20 machines like those located at the Liquor Depot in Rock Springs.

These machines will be used for parimutuel wagering on live horse racing, historic horse racing and simulcast events.

“Hopefully, it’s a good match,” McCarlie said.

“We have a lot of Green River customers going from Green River to Rock Springs,” Buckley Hubert, Town Bar and Grill owner, said in an interview. “Green River residents are spending the money in Rock Springs. Why not keep them here?”

McCarlie said even though he and Hubert have received approval from both the Green River City Council and the Sweetwater County Commission, they still need the state’s approval from the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission.

McCarlie is estimating the state process to take 60-90 days.

“The state has the final say,” Buckley said.

During the meeting, Commissioner John Kolb spoke favorably of the project.

“I’m glad we’re bringing something Green River wants,” Kolb said.

Hubert and McCarlie said the parimutuel machines in Green River will bring the city of Green River money the same way it’s bringing money to Rock Springs.

In January, the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission paid the Rock Springs government $335,476.55 for 2017. Both Hubert and McCarlie believe this number would be smaller for Green River, but it would be revenue Green River didn’t have before.

 

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