The bill amends various sections of Washington's horse racing laws, focusing on definitions, licensing, and financial regulations related to horse racing and parimutuel wagering. Key changes include the explicit definitions of terms such as "commission," "parimutuel machine," and "parimutuel wagering." The structure of the Washington horse racing commission is modified by removing the requirement for one commissioner to be a breeder of racehorses. The licensing process for race meets is updated to mandate a minimum of six live races each day, and a new fee structure based on gross receipts from parimutuel machines is established. Additionally, the bill ensures that funds collected from parimutuel wagering are allocated to support nonprofit race meets and equine-related organizations, while revising the percentages of daily gross receipts that licensees can retain.

The bill also introduces provisions for class 1 racing associations, allowing them to conduct parimutuel wagering at satellite locations under specific conditions, such as having completed at least one full live racing season and maintaining an annual live race meet. It restricts the approval of satellite locations to one per county, with exceptions for larger counties, and mandates that satellite wagering must not occur within sixty driving miles of another class 1 racing facility conducting a live race meet. Furthermore, the bill expands the activities of class 1 racing associations and licensed advanced deposit wagering companies to include horse race handicapping contests, while increasing the maximum annual expenditure from the Washington horse racing commission operating account for the development of the equine industry. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the governance and financial sustainability of horse racing in Washington State.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 67.16.010, 67.16.012, 67.16.050, 67.16.070, 67.16.100, 67.16.101, 67.16.102, 67.16.105, 67.16.140, 67.16.160, 67.16.170, 67.16.175, 67.16.251, 67.16.280