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-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. 3. 8 MRSA §286, sub-§4,  as enacted by PL 1997, c. 528, §46, is amended to read: