Horse, dog racetracks in Texas able to take bets again for 90 days following legislative deal

Texas tracks will be able to again take bets on horse and dog races — at least temporarily — following a deal that resumes operations for the state racing commission.

The commission had suspended operations Tuesday amid legislative squabbles over funding, forcing horse and dog racing tracks to stop taking bets on live races.

However, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced late Tuesday that House Appropriations Chairman John Otto and Senate members of the Legislative Budget Board had reached agreement to fund the commission for 90 days.

Commission spokesman Robert Elrod said all commission offices were open for business Thursday.

Commissioners recently voted to let tracks install "historical racing" terminals, allowing betting on already-run races stripped of identifying information. State lawmakers opposed to the move threatened to withhold funding in response.