Horse wagering comes to GR

Horse wagering will come to Green River after a 6-1 vote by the Green River City Council Tuesday night.

Buck Hubert, owner of the Town Bar and Grill, approached the Council for permission to host wagering on live horse racing and historic horse racing. Hubert initially approached the Council last year and received approval, however the original vendor Hubert worked with to bring horse wagering to his business pulled out of the project. Hubert approached Wyoming Horse Racing LLC, which operates a similar venue in Rock Springs at Bomber’s Sports Bar, to help bring horse wagering to the city.

Hubert told the Council there are residents who would prefer staying in Green River to wager on horse racing than go to Rock Springs, saying his business and the city are losing out on potential revenue from the activity.

According to Eugene Joyce, managing partner for Wyoming Horse Racing LLC, part of the revenue generated through horse wagering is distributed to the cities and counties allowing the activity. He aniticpates the city to receive between $75,000 and $150,000 in revenue during the first year of operation at Town Bar and Grill.

The Council passed the resolution, with Councilman Gary Killpack the only member to vote against the measure.

Joyce said the company should have horse wagering available in Green River in mid-July.