307 plays the dark horse trying to get gaming parlor into Hole Bowl

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — County commissioners are debating the future of Hole Bowl and the possibility it becomes a gaming parlor with off-track-betting (OTB) on live horseracing, historic horse racing and simulcast events.

Preliminary discussion at their last meeting would indicate the board is deadlocked on the issue 2-2 with chair Natalia Macker out on maternity leave. The BCC stopped short of taking a vote until she returns on July 5.

While state statute allows for pari-mutuel betting on horse races and voters approved such operations in Teton County in 1973, applicant 307 Horse Racing Inc. would still need approval via resolution from the county for a permit to operate such a business.

Wyoming Downs tried unsuccessfully to bring a similar product to the county in 2014 and were turned away by the BCC. The application brought forward at that time was for approval anywhere in Teton County. 307 is asking for a resolution okaying a site-specific betting parlor at 980 W. Broadway at the old Hole Bowl.

Kyle Ridgway, CFO of 307, explained the business model—basically Hole Bowl as it existed with a segregated space with separate entrance for punters playing the ponies.

“We are not looking to turn this into a Las Vegas casino or anything like that,” he said, emphasizing it will continue to be a family-friendly place.’

Still, Sheriff Matt Carr didn’t exactly give commissioners his vote of confidence about the betting aspect of a new Hole Bowl.

“I do have concerns in speaking with other sheriffs around the state that this opportunity may or may not be what we are looking for,” Carr said. “In general, with these types of gaming operations and the crowd they tend to draw. I would hope the commission keeps that in mind when they make their decision.”

How they voted

With the 2-2 head count likely to sink the applicant, commissioner Greg Epstein offered a way out for 307, continuing the discussion to July 5 when Macker returns.

Epstein, himself, thought the business model sounded all right to him.

“I think the Hole Bowl was a great place for families and gave young kids something fun to do. I see this as a positive. And we haven’t even talked about tax revenues,” Epstein said. “I would hate to see the Hole Bowl infrastructure torn down. I think there is an opportunity here, and we just have to put our trust in 307 Horse Racing that they are going to do the right thing.”

Sales tax revenue estimated by Ridgway could amount to some $400,000 to $500,000 a year.

Commissioner Mark Newcomb said he just didn’t see the need for it, though he respected the way 307 Horse Racing has done business around the state.

“This is a tough one for me. We already have so much to offer in this community, and so many attractions, and so many great places to dine; this would be a small step, but a very significant step toward a slightly different mix of attractions. And I’m not quite sure we need it,” Newcomb said.

Comissioner Luther Propst didn’t see horse race betting as a tourism fit for Jackson Hole unless the horses were wild.

“My concern is we are in the process of developing a tourist destination management plan, and the feedback from the public is we are just overwhelmed already with tourism. I just can’t see another attraction, particularly an attraction that is based more on a generic form of amusement, than is our local resources,” Propst said. “Given the perception of the public that we are just overrun at the moment, and the transition away from the traditional, nature-based, wildlife activity of [Jackson Hole], I’m not prepared to support this at this point.”

Commissioner Mark Barron called the proposal a “win-win” and voiced his support while taking exception at any notion the addition of gambling on horse racing would be a destination attraction.

“If this wasn’t a facility already built, already sitting there, already being used by this community, maybe it would be another story. The kids of this community want that bowling alley open. If this is what it takes to open up that bowling alley I really am hard-pressed to see what the harm is here,” Barron said. “And this isn’t an attraction to bring tourists in. To say this is going to bring more tourism is…I’m sorry, that is just not holding water.”

 Now what?

If no one on the board of commissioners changes their thinking—and there is little indication they would)—Macker will probably come in to cast the deciding vote.

Ridgway will likely appeal to the mother of two littles that he also has two young kids that he brings to his facility all the time without reservation.

Ridgway also mentioned that without the horse racing betting component it would be very difficult to make the rent with just bowling and that ‘kid magnet’ game with the over-sensitive tilt warning that shoves your quarters back at you in slow motion.

CEO Jack Greer, who established the company in 2020, mentioned 307HR’s good standing with the Wyoming Gaming Commission and various outlets of operation in Casper, Gillette, and Sheridan.

If approved by the BCC with resolution, the town would then decide a liquor and business license for the operation.