racing legislation | Horse Racing Free Tips

Legislation has been introduced in Arizona to modernize gaming at tracks and OTBs in the Grand Canyon State. Senate Bill 1794, introduced by Sen. David Gowan, would authorize historic horse racing [HHR] and stands to generate up to $140 million in new tax revenues. The bill is set to be heard in a Senate committee on Tuesday.

Since 2004, according to savearizonahorseracing.com, Arizona has seen pari-mutuel handles drop by $55 million a year and purses drop by $5 million a year as live racing attendance has dropped 45%. During the same time period, tribal gross gaming revenues have increased from $1.3 billion to $2 billion.

The bill would modernize Arizona wagering laws while limiting the number of HHR terminals to just 15% of tribal gaming positions. Pari-mutuel wagering was legal in Arizona before tribal gaming compacts began, so their authorization would not violate those state agreements.

“The modernization effort led by Senator Gowan will save the horse racing industry in Arizona and help keep horsemen in our state,” said Bob Hutton, president of the Arizona Horseman's Benevolent & Protective Association. “Implementing historic horse racing will provide much-needed support to the various industry partners that are involved in each race day, attract high quality horses, and revitalize the horse racing experience throughout Arizona.”

According to savearizonahorseracing.com, if passed, the measure would generate between $100 million and $140 million in new state tax revenues, create 4,000 new jobs, and lead to more than $300 million in capital investments in Arizona Downs. In addition, daily purses in Arizona would increase from $80,000 to $300,000.

The post Arizona Racing Legislation Introduced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

In what has become a nearly annual long-shot endeavor in Georgia, legislation has been filed to legalize pari-mutuel horse racing.

The latest bill, SB30, was introduced Jan. 27 by Senator Brandon Beach, (R-Alpharetta). It shares the same title as the Rural Georgia Jobs and Growth Act that he filed during the 2019-20 legislative session.

The 51-page bill would create a state racing commission that would have the power to issue licenses for up to three racetracks situated at least 125 miles apart that would be required to host 60-date minimum race meets (unless the licensees can demonstrate via waiver application a need to reduce the dates requirement to 45).

The bill includes provisions for historical horse race (HHR) gaming, simulcasting, and advance-deposit wagering.

The initial 10-year licenses would be up for bid at $50 million each, and could be renewed thereafter for $250 million.

Another stipulation mandates that tracks within 50 miles of a major international airport would need to have a minimum initial investment of $250 million per facility. If further away from a major airport, the minimum investment would be $125 million.

Entrepreneurs who are entirely new to the racetrack business need not apply, as per a clause in the bill that states, “No application for the equestrian facility shall be considered unless the applicant, a majority of its owners who individually possess at least 5% of the applicant's stock or membership, or its management, can demonstrate a successful history of operating at least one horse racing track in one of the previous five years from the date of the application.”

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), two other pieces of gambling-related legislation have also been field recently. One would put a question on an upcoming ballot asking Georgia voters whether they support allowing casinos in the state. The other would legalize online sports betting.

The stumbling block to getting pari-mutuel laws enacted in Georgia–as it has been for the past three decades since Georgia's lottery became legal–has nothing to do with a lack of enthusiasm for horses. The difficulty has always been rounding up enough elected officials who are willing to support expanded gambling in a state where moral objections to it run high and religious conservatism carries considerable clout.

The AJC reported that “Adding casino gambling or horse racing would require Georgians to approve a constitutional amendment allowing the expansion…. Sports betting supporters said the resolution is not needed to allow sports betting. That difference is important. A bill only requires that more than half of each chamber support a measure to make it to the governor's desk. Constitutional amendments need two-thirds of each chamber to clear the General Assembly–a tall ask from the Legislature–and then a majority vote in an election.”

The post Yet Another Horse Racing Bill Filed in Georgia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post