Floods knock out La. betting

Fair Grounds in New Orleans, which operates 10 offtrack betting parlors in southeast Louisiana, was among a handful of outlets unable to accept simulcast wagers for much of Belmont Stakes Day last Saturday as a result of flooding in Houston.

The Autotote hub located at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston was unable to process wagers for Fair Grounds, Great Lakes Downs, and other tracks it serves after flooding disabled phone lines serving the hub about two hours before the Belmont. Fair Grounds and Great Lakes were able to place wagers through Chicago on Sunday, while Fair Grounds returned to the Houston hub on Monday, and Great Lakes Downs on Tuesday.

It was the second time this year the Houston hub was unable to accept wagers, the first being in March on Louisiana Derby day because of an Autotote malfunction.