Washington Horse Racing Commission

The Washington Horse Racing Commission was established in March 1933 as oversight to the legalization of the pari-mutuel betting on horse races in Washington State. The Commission is required to license, regulate and supervise all race meets held in Washington State. The legislation stipulated that 5 percent of the gross amount wagered would be collected as a tax and 80 percent of this tax would support the old age pension fund in the State treasury. The track also paid the State $100 a day licensure fee. The Commission is made up of five commissioners appointed by the governor and Senate for a six year term. This legislation opened the way for the foundation of the horse breeding and racing industries in Washington State. The letter of 27 September 1933 includes a summary of the first racing season under the Commission's jurisdiction. The letter summarizes the amounts taken in by the racetracks, the amounts contributed to the old age pension and that the crowds at Longacres racetrack broke all records. They felt additional accommodations would be required at Longacres for the next season because attendance broke all Pacific Coast racing records.

Longacres racetrack was founded by Seattle real estate magnates. It opened in Renton, WA August 3, 1933. By the time it closed on Sept. 21, 1992, it had become the oldest continually operating thoroughbred racetrack on the West Coast. In January 1909, the WA State Legislature banned gambling in the State which quickly resulted in the demise of the first racetrack in Seattle, WA. Joseph Gottstein and his business associate, William Edris, loved horse racing and decided to revive the sport. From 1922 on they lobbied to bring thoroughbred racing back to Washington State. On March 23, 1933 their efforts were rewarded when the Governor signed the bill legalizing pari-mutuel betting on horse races. (Pari-mutuel betting is a system whereby the winners divided the total amount of the bet, after deducting management expenses, in proportion to the sums they have wagered.) After arranging financing and hiring an architect, a crew of 3,000 worked around the clock to build Longacres -- racing strip, red & silver grandstand, clubhouse, 33 barns, a judge's stand and betting windows -- in about five months. During the track's initial years, thoroughbred horse breeding was confined to a handful of stables which prompted the founding of the Washington Horse Breeder's Association. 1943 was the only year that the track did not open. From 1972 through 1984 Longacres underwent a large expansion of the facilities. In Sept. 1990 Longacres was sold to Boeing and was closed on Sept. 21, 1992.

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