BISMARCK — The North Dakota Racing Commission is granting the North Dakota Horse Park enough funding to host four weekends of

live horse racing

this summer while contributing to the state’s general fund.

On Thursday, Feb. 20, the North Dakota Racing Commission granted the North Dakota Horse Park, operated by Horse Race North Dakota in north Fargo, $180,000 in promotional funds and $140,000 in purse funds. The 2025 award is about the same as what was granted in 2024.

The racing commission is appropriated money from the state’s general fund every two years for live racing, which it pays back. As of Thursday, the North Dakota Racing Commission paid the state’s general fund about $496,000 after being given $478,000 in the last biennium. The commission is on track to pay the state an additional $50,000 in 2025, Racing Director Bruce Johnson said.

“In reality, at least in the past 10 years, one could even say the past 12 years, we’ve paid back more to the general fund than what was given us every year,” he said. “North Dakota racing costs the taxpayers absolutely nothing.”

The commission receives money through licensed Account Wagering Deposit companies, commonly called ADWs. The state then uses those funds to help pay for live racing. The commission grants two types of funds to the two racetracks in the state: purse funds and promotional funds. Purse funds are used as race prizes, and promotional funds are used for the operation of a meet, marketing and promoting the races.

The commission granted the Fargo track an additional $7,500 to install six new RV hookups. The track has 12 existing RV spots for horsemen to rent during the four-week meet. North Dakota Horse Park General Manager Hugh Drexler said the additional camping availability helps cut down costs for the horsemen and has been appreciated.

In 2024, attendance at the Fargo track was about 8,358 over the eight race days, up from about 8,127 in 2023.

The North Dakota Racing Commission granted the horse park’s request on Nov. 16 to hold eight racing days over four weekends between July 12 and Aug. 4 in 2025.

The Fargo track held four weekends, or eight days of racing, in 2024 after hosting three weekends, or six days, in 2023 and 2022.

On Thursday, the commission also granted Chippewa Downs in Belcourt $140,000 in purse money and $180,000 for promotions. The commission granted Chippewa Downs an additional $25,000 to be given as an incentive for horsemen to bring horses to the track just a few miles south of the Canadian border. Chippewa Downs will host four weekends of racing in June.

Wendy Reuer covers all things West Fargo for The Forum.