ARIZONA STATE SENATE

RESEARCH STAFF

KAITLYN NEFF

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST

NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY COMMITTEE

Telephone: (602) 926-3171

TO:                  MEMBERS OF THE SENATE

NATURAL RESOURCES AND

                        ENERGY COMMITTEE

DATE:            March 25, 2019

SUBJECT:      Strike everything amendment to H.B. 2547, relating to horse racing; simulcasting

Purpose

Allows a commercial live-racing permittee in a county with a population between 700,000 and 1,500,000 persons to conduct wagering on dark day simulcasts for more than 20 days, under certain circumstances.

Background

Pari-mutuel wagering is a system of betting that provides for the distribution among the winning patrons of at least the total amount wagered less amounts withheld pursuant to statute (A.R.S. § 5-101).

The Arizona Department of Gaming may allow a commercial live-racing permittee to electronically televise simulcasted horse, harness or dog races and allows wagering on simulcasted races, subject to certain requirements.

Under current statute, in a county with a population between 700,000 and 1,500,000 persons, a commercial live-racing permittee may conduct wagering on dark day simulcasts for 20 days if the permittee conducts a minimum of seven posted races on each of the permittee's permitted race days. A permittee may conduct wagering on dark day simulcasts for more than the allowed 20 days if the permittee conducts a minimum of seven posted races on 140 racing days at the racetrack.

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Allows a commercial live-racing permittee in a county with a population between 700,000 and 1,500,000 persons to conduct wagering on dark day simulcasts for more than 20 days without meeting the seven required posted races on 140 racing days, subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Gaming, if the permittee enters into a written agreement with the recognized horsemen's association that represents the participants at the racetrack enclosure.

2. Makes technical and conforming changes.

3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.