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'Horse Wizards' in Michigan?

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May 30, 2007

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Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm is reportedly studying a proposal to permit Hazel Park and Northville Downs to install instant racing machines--called "Horse Wizard"--developed by Magna Entertainment. The story in the Detroit News only stated the two harness tracks and a proposed new Thoroughbred track owned by Magna located near Metro Airport would be allowed to have the machines.

"Given our current budget crisis, we can hardly afford to dismiss any serious proposal to generate revenue," Gov. Granholm's press secretary Liz Boyd told the newspaper. "But before an implementation could be agreed upon, the proposal would have to be studied very carefuly to make sure it is legally permissable under the amended constitution and to assess the potential impact on other revenue."

Granholm reportedly met with Magna chairman Frank Stronach at his Toronto headquarters earlier this month to discuss the Horse Wizard machines. Any proposal to allow their approval will likely meet with heavy opposition from the three Detroit casinos.

"It looks and plays just like a slot machine," MotorCity casino representative Tom Shields told the News. "We want to take a lot at them. But anything that violates Proposal 1 is a concern."

Races used in the Horse Wizard machines will not include any that were contested at any Michigan racetrack.

"But this is legal," said Hazel Park executive Dan Adkins. "It's no different than a simulcast self-serve terminal we have at the track right now. It would be a nice addition."

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