Idaho’s Horse Racing Commission faces funding woes

Idaho’s Horse Racing Commission is scrambling to avoid a funding crisis after its primary revenue source evaporated earlier this year with the closing of the state’s largest horse racing track.

Under state law, a portion of how much money is bet on horse racing in Idaho is distributed to the state’s horse racing commission. The commission relies on that money, as well as revenue from license permits and fees, to operate.

Les Bois Park, which closed in March, had funneled the most funding to the commission. With that money now gone, the commission is trying to find a way to replace it.

Currently, the commission is projected to receive roughly $80,000 in revenue for next year’s annual budget. For fiscal year 2016, which ended in June, the commission received $422,800 in revenue.