HOUSTON - Horse tracks across the state of Texas, including Sam Houston Race Park, are being ordered to close.
As of midnight, people could no longer place bets on horse races at Sam Houston.
Members of the legislative budget board failed to reach an agreement on the Texas Racing Commission's budget. The Commission regulates dog and horse racing in the state.
The money comes from licensing and fees paid by racetracks in the state. No taxpayer money is involved but legislators still must approve the money.
Republican senators threatened to defund the agency in February, when the Commission voted to allow "historical racing" - an electronic gambling system that lets players bet on replays of horse races that have already been run.
