Woman-Owned Business Is Spearheading HHR Efforts in Maryland

Alyse Cohen, the owner of the Long Shot’s off-track betting facility (OTB) in Frederick, Maryland, is championing the legalization of Historic Horse Racing machines at OTBs in the state. As someone who’s been a part of the OTB sector her entire life, she recognizes the importance of diversifying the products offered in such facilities.

Cohen Says HHRs Are What OTBs Need

According to Casino Reports, Cohen grew up at a horse farm in central Maryland and was visiting the local OTB with her parents regularly. Once the state issued a Frederick OTB license, she and her father were quick to grab it. In 2019, the duo opened its signature property in the city.

As someone whose life has been long connected to the OTB sector, Cohen believes that legalizing HHRs is “the next appropriate step in Maryland gaming.” She is now working hard to promote this legalization and expand the state’s gaming sector.

Cohen justified the call with HHRs with the decline in handle since 2021. Despite adding retail sports betting in partnership with Caesars, running the business has remained challenging. She explained that running sustainable retail sports betting tends to be difficult for everyone but casinos.

Maryland Considers HHRs

Cohen, however, is optimistic about Senate Bill 982 and House Bill 1048, which have the common goal of legalizing HHR machines at OTBs across Maryland.

The measures would limit the total number of HHRs across the state to 4,000. Additionally, the state would take a 15% cut off operators’ HHR revenues. This money would be channeled toward the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund.

According to Cohen, HHRs could generate up to $65 million in taxes every year.

HHR machines, for context, allow players to place bets on horse races that have already passed. To that end, all identifying information is removed. Players can then review statistics before placing their bets, adding an important element of skill to HHRs.

HHRs have enjoyed great popularity in other states, such as Kentucky and Virginia, where players have wagered millions on such products.

HHR Machines Can Solve Maryland’s Budget Deficit

Cohen argued that some players have been leaving Maryland to place bets at gambling halls in neighboring states. By legalizing HHRs, Maryland should be able to keep at least some of these players gambling locally.  

We’ll be keeping all of these Maryland dollars in Maryland.

Alyse Cohen

This comes as Maryland is facing a $3 billion deficit. Lawmakers seeking additional tax sources to fill this gap might be likelier to consider the HHR bills.

Casinos, however, are unlikely to be thrilled by the proposal. Cohen expects that they will oppose the measure, even if OTBs are unlikely to cannibalize their revenues. While she insisted that such facilities are almost always located at least an hour away from their nearest casinos and offer a different kind of gaming, she is uncertain whether casinos would be convinced.

Cohen is not alone and is backed by a coalition of OTB firms, seeking to legalize HHRs. The Maryland General Assembly will hold hearings on the matter on March 5 and 6.