August 29, 2014 3:45 PM

Despite court challenge, Racing Commission approves "historical racing" machines

Bingo hall operators, who opposed the new gambling machines, are considering their legal options

The battle over what some have criticized as an unconstitutional expansion of gambling in Texas played out on two fronts Friday – both in a Ft. Worth courtroom and at the Capitol in Austin.

Attorneys for Rep. Matt Krause, R-Ft. Worth, spent the morning unsuccessfully trying to convince a Tarrant County judge that the Texas Racing Commission should be stopped from moving forward with a rulemaking on what are called “historical racing machines.” Those are the terminals that look similar to slot machines and allow gamblers to bet or horse races that have already been run. See the video at the end of this story for a demonstration.

The judge denied a request from Krause’s attorneys Tony McDonald and Trey Trainor, who may sound familiar to QR readers because they also work with and for Michael Quinn Sullivan. The judge set a September 10hearing for Krause’s attorneys to try to get a temporary injunction.