An Act To Enhance Equity and Efficiency for Off-track Betting Facilities
Sec. 1. 8 MRSA §275-A, sub-§7-A is enacted to read:
Sec. 2. 8 MRSA §275-D, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2011, c. 99, §1, is further amended to read:
Sec. 3. 8 MRSA §275-N, as amended by PL 2003, c. 401, §14, is further amended to read:
§ 275-N. Limitations on off-track betting facilities
The commission may not allow interstate simulcasting or and license any off-track betting facility regardless of the number of race dates that were conducted in the State for any calendar year unless during the preceding 2 calendar years there were at least 150 race dates on which live racing actually was conducted at the commercial tracks. Interstate simulcasting always must be allowed at any commercial track that conducted at least 136 race dates during the immediately preceding 2 calendar years or at an existing commercial track as defined in section 275-A, subsection 1, paragraph B at which at least 35 race dates were conducted during the preceding 2 years if the interstate simulcasting at the commercial track is conducted during the regular meeting. For the purposes of this section, any race date that the commission determines was canceled due to a natural or other disaster must be counted as a race date. For the purposes of this section and for the purpose of meeting the requirements of section 275-A, subsection 1, any race date that is canceled at a commercial race track due to the inability to meet the requirements of section 275-A, subsection 9-A because of a horse shortage, as verified by the state steward, is counted as a race date.
Sec. 4. 8 MRSA §286, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 528, §46, is amended to read:
(1) The state share is 8.647% for an off-track betting facility located in the same municipality as a commercial track and 9.801% for all other facilities;
(2) The Sire Stakes Fund share is 5.965%;
(3) The Stipend Fund share is 4.494%;
(4) The purse supplement share is 16.558%;
(5) The Harness Racing Promotional Fund share is 0.962%;
(6) The off-track betting facility share is 49.269% all amounts not otherwise assigned; and
(7) The off-track betting facility simulcast fund share is 12.951%.
(1) The state share is 2.739% for an off-track betting facility located in the same municipality as a commercial track and 4.405% for all other facilities;
(2) The Sire Stakes Fund share is 0.400%;
(3) The Stipend Fund share is 6.590%;
(4) The purse supplement share is 8.399%;
(5) The Harness Racing Promotional Fund share is 1.389%;
(6) The off-track betting facility share is 60.190% all amounts not otherwise assigned; and
(7) The off-track betting facility simulcast fund share is 18.627%.
Sec. 5. 8 MRSA §295, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2005, c. 563, §8, is further amended to read:
SUMMARY
This bill adjusts the distribution of commissions on simulcasting of races with commingled pools originating at a racetrack in another state by an off-track betting facility without reducing the portion of those revenues that benefit the State. In addition, the bill eliminates the off-track betting facility simulcast fund share received by a commercial track whose parent company is owned or operated or owned and operated by a casino in this State. The bill also modifies the requirement that an off-track betting facility operator be a liquor license holder, but maintains the requirement that an off-track betting facility be situated in a facility that is licensed to serve liquor and food. The bill also eliminates the requirement for at least 150 race dates in the preceding 2 calendar years before interstate simulcasting or the licensing of an off-track betting facility is allowed.