Patrons arriving for Thursday's races at Santa Anita were met by something new, gaming terminals called Racing On Demand. Racing On Demand terminals, like HHR machines, are a form of pari-mutuel wagering on previously run races.The Paulick Report was first with the story. The publication reported that 26 machines were operating on Thursday and they were on the ground floor of the grandstand in an area formerly known as the Horse Wizard Lounge.At the deadline for this story, the TDN had reached out to two members of The Stronach Group team seeking more information, but had not heard back from either. The story will be updated as more details come in.If the Racing On Demand machines prove to be a hit, they could help solve what has been a huge problem for the California racing industry and Santa Anita in particular. California is the last major racing state that does not receive alternative revenue from casinos, slot machines, HHR machines, or government subsidies to prop up purses. The result has been that purses at the California tracks have fallen well short of those offered in places like Kentucky, Arkansas, and New York. This has affected field sizes at the Southern California tracks and has led some top trainers to set up divisions in Kentucky, where the purses have soared thanks to HHR machines.There may still be questions that need to be answered regarding their legality. Under the state's current laws, Native American tribes hold a legal monopoly on casino-style gaming, specifically slot machines. The TDN reached out via email to the Indian Gaming Association for a comment, and, at the deadline for this story, was awaiting a reply.Paulick wrote that the machines will offer a “specific bet type approved by the California Horse Racing Board in 2024.” The publication also wrote that California racing officials are of the belief that the Racing On Demand machines are legal under existing regulations.Sources told the Paulick Report that the Racing on Demand terminals are more advanced than a typical self-betting device but have fewer “bells and whistles” than the Historical Horse Racing machines in use in Kentucky and other states.According to the Paulick Report, Racing On Demand wagering has been in development for nearly 18 months, and the Stronach Group, the owners of Santa Anita, have received legal analysis from the gaming and regulatory division of the O'Melveny & Myers law firm and have had discussions with regulatory officials that gave Santa Anita management the confidence to unveil the machines at this time. California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office was furnished the legal opinion well in advance, and the CHRB has been notified that Racing On Demand has been launched.The post Machines Similar to HHR Terminals Debuted Thursday at Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.