§3004 Regulation of Interstate Off-track Wagering

Summary

Off-track betting systems may only take interstate bets if they get three permissions first: the host racing association, the host racing commission, and the off-track racing commission. The host racing association must have a written agreement with the horsemen’s group that lets the association give that permission, unless an existing contract at the time this law started already covers interstate off-track betting. If older contracts already had rules or prior written consents, those rules stay in place until normal contract changes are made, and new agreements can’t be withdrawn except through the usual contract process. An off-track betting office must also get OK from every currently operating track within 60 miles, or if none are that close then from the nearest operating track in a neighboring State. One exception: in a State with at least 250 days of on-track parimutuel racing, an off-track office may take interstate bets without those nearby-track approvals for up to 60 racing days and 25 special events a year, but only if no same-type racing is happening at the same time within 60 miles in the off-track State (or the racing program can’t be completed). Dark days during a scheduled meet may be excluded. The office must offer the same terms to any nearby track and still must have the three permissions above. Finally, the takeout (house cut) on an interstate wager cannot be higher than the takeout for the same type of off-track wager in the off-track State, unless that State’s law allows a higher takeout.