The bill amends the Horse Racing Act to establish new requirements for racetracks to maintain their gaming operator's licenses based on the number of live race days conducted. Specifically, it mandates that racetracks must schedule a minimum of fifteen weeks for an authorized race meet, with three live race days per week and at least ten races per day for those that paid gaming tax of $8 million or less in the prior fiscal year. For racetracks that paid more than $8 million, the requirement increases to four live race days per week with at least nine races per day. Additionally, the bill stipulates that there should be no more than three consecutive days without live racing between meets.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions that allow for some flexibility in maintaining the required number of live race days and races. It specifies that if a racetrack is unable to meet these requirements due to certain circumstances—such as severe weather, strikes, or other uncontrollable events—they may submit a request for variance to the state racing commission. The bill also clarifies that maintaining fewer live race days or allowing more days to elapse between races does not automatically void a racetrack's gaming operator license if approved by the commission.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 60-1A-2, 60-2E-27