Leech Lake, Canterbury Park sign agreement for simulcast wagering on horse races

BEMIDJI — The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Canterbury Park Holding Corp. announced Tuesday they have signed a management agreement that would allow the band to offer simulcast wagering on horse races at the Northern Lights Casino Hotel and Events Center in Walker. Northern Lights Casino is part of the Leech Lake Gaming Division, which also owns and operates Palace Casino and White Oak Casino.

The Minnesota Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the Minnesota Quarter Horse Racing Association and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe also signed a purse fund contribution agreement that will use simulcast wagering revenue from Northern Lights to increase live racing purses at Canterbury Park.

“There is significant interest in live horse racing in Northern Minnesota, so we see a great opportunity to meet customer demand and continue to support our mission of community development,” Leech Lake chairwoman Carri Jones said in a press release.

Legislation passed in 2012 established the framework that enables Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and other sovereign nations currently authorized to conduct gaming under a tribal-state compact to receive telecasts of horse races for simulcast wagering purposes from Canterbury Park and other tracks around the world.

This agreement between Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Canterbury Park Holding Corporation requires the approval of the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Minnesota Racing Commission. Regulatory discussions are expected to begin soon, the release said.