DEL MAR — The board of directors for the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which governs the Del Mar Fairgrounds, unanimously approved an agreement at the Aug. 13 meeting that could bring an additional $150,000 annually to the state-owned facility.Â
Directors authorized Ocean’s Eleven Casino in Oceanside to operate mini-satellite wagering for a minimum of five years, with an option to renew for one three-year period.
In an effort to widen the distribution of the horse racing signal at brick-and-mortar sites, in 2007 the state approved the development of 45 mini-satellites, which are regulated and licensed by the California Horse Racing Board.
If a potential restaurant or sports bar is within a 20-mile radius of an existing race track — which in this case is the Del Mar Fairgrounds — the applicant must be granted a waiver from the facility.
Currently four such venues operate in Southern California in San Clemente, Santa Maria, Santa Clarita and Commerce.
In exchange for the waiver, the 22nd DAA will receive a percentage of the profits, which are estimated to range between $100,000 to $150,000 annually.
The facility has been approved by Oceanside but still needs to be licensed by the California Horse Racing Board. Pending that approval, satellite wagering is expected to be available at Ocean’s Eleven next month.
Earlier this year Silky Sullivan’s Race and Sports Bar received approval from the 22nd DAA to operate a mini-satellite wagering facility in Carlsbad, but that city denied its business license, noting any form of gambling is generally not allowed in Carlsbad.