Commerce Casino unveiled its new Race book in mid-July, just in time for horseracing enthusiasts to place their bets on the thoroughbreds opening the season at Del Mar. Commerce became the first card casino in Southern California-Los Angeles/Orange County metropolitan region to offer off-track wagering as a mini-satellite facility.
The casino's new Race book features eight self-serve kiosks that sell and cash tickets. A pari-mutuel clerk is also present. The Race book, located in the southern region of the casino near the buffet, has 15 TV screens showing races from around the nation.
"This is an exciting new addition for Commerce Casino," said John Griffo, Commerce Casino Director of Marketing and Advertising. "To date, the state only permitted card games in card rooms such as ours, and with this change in regulation, the Race book allows us to reach new customers who are racing fans and to expand our offerings to our existing customers. The new Commerce Race book, along with our new Stakes Supper Club, continues to demonstrate that Commerce is the leading gaming establishment in Southern California."
In order to inject new revenue into the state's horse racing industry and to increase awareness and popularity of the sport, the Legislature authorized 45 additional mini-satellite wagering sites statewide in 2007-with 15 of those in Southern California. Commerce Casino applied to the California Horse Racing Board for one of these licenses and the application was granted in May.
Commerce Casino partnered with Southern California Off Track Wagering, Inc. ("SCOTWINC"), to promote off-track wagering and equitably divide expenses associated with off-track betting. SCOTWINC operates and manages the Commerce Race book.
