OFF-TRACK BETTING BILL CLEARS PANEL

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 6, 1992                   TAG: 9202060220
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: THOMAS BOYER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short
OFF-TRACK BETTING BILL CLEARS PANEL
A measure to allow off-track betting on horse races won a close committee vote Wednesday and faces a tough fight on the House of Delegates floor.
The bill, which racing advocates say is essential to making the sport economically viable, was endorsed 10-9 by the House General Laws Committee. It could be debated on the floor as early as Friday.
"It was a big first step," said Jeff Gregson, director of the Virginia Racing Coalition, an umbrella group representing the state's horse industry. "It's not over by a long shot."
The measure would allow a racetrack operator to set up as many as six satellite betting "teletheaters" around the state. The centers, which could be opened only with the consent of local citizens in a referendum, would accept bets and televise races in Virginia as well as other states.
John Mamoudis, a Virginia Beach developer, has said he and a group of investors are prepared to proceed with a track in Portsmouth if off-track betting is approved. The track would be the first in Virginia since pari-mutuel betting was approved in 1988.
Opponents said the bill represented another extension of gambling. "What's going to happen if these off-track facilities don't make these tracks viable?" said Linnea Petty, an anti-gambling activist. "Are we going to put slot machines in? Are casinos next?"
Advocates pointed out the centers could provide jobs for more than 100 people each. "There is a substantial employment benefit to be derived," said Del. William Robinson, D-Norfolk.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY HORSE RACING

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB