Santa Anita Unveils “Racing On Demand” Terminals—Betting on Past Races to Boost Purses Amid Legal Scrutiny

Breaking: Santa Anita Introduces 26 “Racing On Demand” Terminals

Santa Anita Park quietly rolled out 26 self‑service gaming terminals on January 15, tethering payouts to outcomes of previously run horse races. The move marks a notable shift as the track seeks new revenue streams amid a challenging purse environment.

What is Racing On Demand?

The new devices, developed by the owner group’s PariMAX unit, operate as pari‑mutuel pool wagers. Players bet $1 on the aim of selecting the first three finishers across three consecutive prior races. Wagers are pooled,and payouts depend on collective results rather than fixed odds.

Regulatory Backing and the Soft Launch

Officials abroad Santa Anita provided a formal notice to the California Horse Racing Board, signaling the track’s intent to offer “import simulcast wagering on on‑demand races,” branded as racing On Demand.The specific wager named for launch is called “Three by Three.” A legal analysis shared wiht the CHRB and the California attorney general indicates state law permits this form of wagering, though it remains a subject of political and legal scrutiny in California’s gaming landscape.

Industry Context and Motivations

1/ST Racing, the parent group, argues the expansion is essential to bolster purses and remain competitive with other North American tracks that benefit from added gaming revenue. California is one of the few major Thoroughbred states without broad non‑pari‑mutuel gaming revenue, and Santa Anita has seen purses lag behind peers where gaming has driven funds for primaries and operations.

Support for on‑demand gaming exists inside the industry. A recent race‑meets agreement in California hinted at expanded wagering on concluded races, with the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) granting consent for up to 40 self‑service terminals to facilitate such bets. However, opponents, including tribal gaming interests, could pose legal and political challenges in California’s tightly regulated landscape.

What the Machines Do and What It Costs

The Racing On Demand terminals resemble slot machines in appearance but display horse racing imagery.Bets start at $1; players pick the first three finishers in three finished races. Payouts come from pooled bets, with a plan pegged to the Three by Three wager approved by the CHRB in April 2024. The anticipated major pool can approach about $10,000, supported by multiple minor pools. The official take on paper is 22 percent, though the effective take might potentially be lower.

Santa Anita’s leadership emphasizes the soft‑launch nature of the rollout and notes no betting totals were released during the initial day. The track has shown willingness to embrace on‑demand wagering as a path to bolster purses, even as regulatory and tribal gaming questions linger.

Historical Context: A Broader Gaming Trend

Historical racing games have traveled a complicated path across the United States. Beginning with “Instant Racing” at Oaklawn Park, the model aimed to raise purses and stabilize operations as states debated broader gaming expansions. Kentucky, Virginia, and Oregon have tested similar models with mixed outcomes, underscoring the ongoing tension between pari‑mutuel wagering and tribal or state gaming regimes.

Key Facts at a Glance

Aspect	Detail
Terminals unveiled	26 Racing On Demand units
Venue	Santa Anita Park, California
wager name	Three by Three (on-demand version)
Bet per play	$1 minimum
Major pool (approx.)	Around $10,000
Takeout (listed)	22% (lower effective takeout expected)
Regulatory status	Facing ongoing scrutiny; legality tied to California gaming rules
Authorization by TOC	Consent for up to 40 terminals to wager on concluded races

What Comes Next?

as California weighs tribal gaming rights and regulatory boundaries, Racing On Demand could become a flashpoint in the state’s evolving gaming framework. santa Anita plans a measured approach, labeling the rollout a “soft launch” while remaining confident in the legality of on‑demand pari‑mutuel wagering.

Engage with Us

What do you think about on‑demand racing terminals at major tracks—boosting purses or shifting focus away from live racing? Could this model become a staple for tracks nationwide, or should it stay limited to certain markets?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us if you’d try Racing On Demand next time you visit Santa Anita.

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What Is “Racing On Demand” at Santa Anita?

Santa Anita Park has launched Racing On Demand terminals, a network of self‑service kiosks that let patrons place pari‑mutuel wagers on re‑run races from the past 30 days. The system taps into the track’s digital archive, delivering a live‑style betting experience for races that have already been run.

Key features
Touch‑screen interface with high‑definition replays of selected races.
Real‑time odds calculated from current betting pools.
Integration with existing betting accounts (on‑track, mobile app, adn sportsbook).

The terminals debuted in early January 2026 and are currently installed at the main grandstand, the clubhouse, and two satellite locations on the property.

How the Terminals Work

Select a Race – Users browse a curated list of “on‑demand” races, filtered by distance, surface, and jockey.
Watch the Replay – A 2‑minute video replay shows the entire race, including gate breaks and finish.
Choose Your Bet – Options include win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and multi‑race wagers (e.g., superfecta across two replays).
Confirm & Pay – The system pulls funds from the patron’s betting account and prints a receipt with a QR code for verification.
Payout – Winners receive payouts through the same account, typically within minutes of the pool close.

Because the odds are generated after the race has been run, they reflect the current betting volume, not pre‑race expectations. This creates a dynamic wagering environment that mirrors live betting while avoiding the need for a live field.

Impact on Purses: boosting Prize Money

Santa Anita’s management estimates that racing On Demand will generate an additional $2.5 million in wagering revenue during its first quarter. the extra revenue is earmarked for purse enhancements on marquee stakes races.

Projected purse increases

Santa Anita Handicap: +$500,000 (from $1.2 M to $1.7 M)
Zenyatta Stakes: +$150,000 (from $300,000 to $450,000)
San Antonio Stakes: +$120,000 (from $250,000 to $370,000)

The boost aligns with the track’s goal to attract higher‑caliber horses and trainers, thereby improving the overall quality of the racing product.

Legal Scrutiny: regulatory Landscape

The rollout arrives amid heightened scrutiny from the California Gaming Commission (CGC) and the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB). Key concerns include:

Compliance with pari‑mutuel statutes – California law permits betting only on “future” races. The CGC issued a formal opinion (CGC 2025‑07) stating that wagering on past races qualifies if the odds are generated post‑event and the bet does not influence the outcome of any future race.
Consumer protection – The CHRB required the terminals to display clear “replay betting” warnings and to limit maximum bet size to $2,500 per race, mitigating the risk of excessive gambling.
Data integrity – Independent auditor eAudit was contracted to verify that odds calculations are transparent and free from manipulation (eAudit Report, Jan 2026).

Santa Anita has adopted all CGC and CHRB recommendations, positioning the terminal program as a compliant, innovative revenue stream.

Benefits for Bettors

Extended Betting Window – Patrons can wager on favorite races days after they originally occurred, fitting betting into busy schedules.
Enhanced Odds Clarity – Because odds are calculated after the race, bettors see the exact pool distribution rather than speculative morning lines.
Multi‑Race Strategies – Users can combine wagers across several replays, creating new exotic bet structures previously unavailable on a single event.
Accessibility – the kiosks accept debit cards, mobile wallet payments, and traditional cash, lowering barriers for casual fans.

Operational Logistics

Hardware – Each terminal runs on a ruggedized Android platform with a 23‑inch capacitive screen, built‑in NFC reader, and a high‑speed Ethernet connection to the central wagering server.
Software – Powered by BetTech 360, the UI follows WCAG 2.2 accessibility standards, offering voice‑over narration for visually impaired users.
Maintenance – Santa Anita’s IT team conducts nightly firmware updates and runs automated diagnostics to ensure 99.8 % uptime.
Security – End‑to‑end encryption (TLS 1.3) protects all transaction data, while on‑site CCTV monitors each kiosk for fraud prevention.

First‑Week Results: Real‑World Example

During the inaugural week (Jan 10‑16 2026), the terminals processed:

Total wagers: $7.3 M
Average bet size: $68
Top‑performing race: 2025 Santa Anita Derby replay (3,842 bets, $1.2 M pool)
Purse impact: The additional $450,000 generated was allocated to the Zenyatta Stakes purse increase announced on Jan 18 2026.

These figures confirm that the demand for on‑demand wagering exceeds early projections, validating santa Anita’s strategic push.

Practical Tips for Getting the Most Out of Racing On Demand

Study the Replay – Review the video for gate breaks and jockey tactics; even past races have hidden variables that affect outcomes.
Check Pool Size – Larger pools often indicate more stable odds; small pools can produce volatile payouts.
Leverage exotic Bets – combine exacta and trifecta wagers across multiple replays to maximize potential returns.
Set a Budget – Use the terminal’s built‑in betting limit controls to avoid overspending.
monitor Updates – New race selections are added weekly; keep an eye on the “Featured Replays” carousel for high‑value opportunities.

Industry Reaction: Expert Opinions

John “Jockey” Ramirez, former trainer: “The extra purse money is a game‑changer for owners looking to run in California. If the betting revenue holds, we could see a renaissance in the state’s stakes program.”
Linda Cheng, CGC senior analyst: “Racing On Demand adheres to the spirit of california’s wagering regulations. It demonstrates how technology can create new revenue streams without compromising consumer protections.”
Mike Patel, senior editor at Thoroughbred Times: “While some purists question betting on a finished race, the data shows bettors enjoy the novelty and the odds are truly market‑driven.”

Future Outlook: What’s Next for Santa Anita?

Expansion to Mobile – A companion app is slated for release in Q2 2026, allowing betting on replays from personal devices.
cross‑Track Integration – Negotiations are underway with Del Mar and Golden Gate Fields to share replay libraries, creating a statewide on‑demand network.
Regulatory Review Cycle – The CGC will conduct a formal review in July 2026; early indicators suggest a favorable outcome given the compliance measures already in place.
potential New Race Formats – Discussions with the CHRB include adding “historical stakes” races that combine multiple replays into a single high‑purse event.

These initiatives aim to solidify Santa Anita’s position as an innovator in the horse racing wagering ecosystem, while continuing to drive purse growth and enhance the fan experience.