Sega Wins Racing Approval

It’s being reported this afternoon that the state of Minnesota has lifted, at least partially, a ban on horse racing arcade machines under gambling law. The law has affected Sega’s Derby Owners Club, as well as other third party offerings such UltraCade’s Breeders’ Cup: Tournament Edition.

Through Sega’s in-house and outside legal counsel, including the firms of Lord, Bissel and Brook LLP (Chicago), and Nolan, MacGregor, Thompson and Leighton (St. Paul), Sega lobbied in the Minnesota House and Senate, focused on changing the Minnesota bill to allow for their games to be played.

Now that the bills have been modified, video game horse racing simulators can be played throughout the state, as long as they don’t involve prize payouts or betting. David R. Foley, CEO of UltraCade Technologies, is praising the decision, “Obviously everyone in the industry was concerned about this treatment. Our Breeders’ Cup game, and the Sega game do not offer any way for a player to win extra credits or place bets on races.”