Oneida Capital LLC to Expand Racing/Gaming Operations to Idaho

Another group interested in horse racing at Les Bois; Greene Group gets good news
Nick Jezierny - njezierny@idahostatesman.com
Published: 05/19/09 - Idaho Statesman

Ada County commissioners have received a letter from Oneida Capital LLC, which owns and operates racing and gaming facilities in Montana, Nevada, New York and Wyoming, stating it would like to meet with the county officials and discuss a lease proposal for Les Bois Park.

Ada County Public Information Director Rich Wright said the commissioners likely will entertain a proposal from Oneida, though no meeting date has been finalized.

Edward Spector, who signed Oneida's letter to the county, didn't immediately return a telephone call from The Idaho Statesman.

Oneida joins the Greene Group, an Alabama-based company that operates a simulcast center and a charitable bingo operation in Post Falls, as potential operators for the horse racing track located at Expo Idaho.

On Tuesday, the Greene Group received good news in its quest to be awarded the lease when the Idaho Lottery Commission gave the group a clean bill of health, which was "one hurdle" in possibly securing the lease.

Ada County commissioners stopped lease negotiations with the Greene Group because of some findings in a recent audit by the state lottery.

Those issues, many of which were about the interpretation of state statutes, are gone now.

"We have no issues going forward with them to conduct charitable gaming," said Jeff Anderson, a director of the Idaho Lottery Commission.

The public meeting also attracted Ada County staff. Commissioner Sharon Ullman said "this was one hurdle" the Greene Group had to clear before taking the next step, which appears to be the two parties negotiating terms of a lease.

"This means we have some talking to do," Ullman said. "I can't give you a timetable."

Scott Okuniewicz, the general manager of the Greene Group's simulcast operation in Post Falls and the president of the group's charitable gaming operation, said his group is waiting for the county to provide a list of equipment that is included in the lease.

"We're going to meet with them and get a list of the property that comes with the lease so we can better determine a fair lease price," Okuniewicz said.

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