“First, let me be clear, these machines are not pari-mutuel – even common sense is clear.  The French term ‘pari-mutuel’ literally means: – ‘pari’ – to wager. ‘mutuel’ – means among, with or mutual.

When a patron chooses his own machine, and the machine randomly chooses his own historical race, and the patron places his own wager at his own time, he is not wagering against, among or with ANYONE else. He is not in a ‘wagering pool’ – he is simply trying to win money that others have already lost that has been placed in a pool stewarded by the House.  If it is pari-mutuel, answer the question, ‘Who is he wagering against, among or with?'”

– Kent Ostrander
Executive Director, The Family Foundation