Brief Description: Authorizing class 1 racing associations to conduct handicapping contests.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen, Deccio, Keiser, Rasmussen and Kohl-Welles).

Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development
House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Background: All forms of gambling, except those specifically authorized by, or excluded from the Gambling Act, are illegal. Parimutuel betting on horse racing, as authorized under chapter 67.16, and regulated by the Horse Racing Commission, is excluded from the Gambling Act.

In a "handicapping contest," participants pay a fee, and predict one or more pre-established combinations of outcomes of more than one horse race. The participant whose predictions are determined to be closest to the actual results wins the aggregated total of fees paid, less the cost of administering the contest.

Fees paid to enter a handicapping contest are kept separate from and do not affect the parimutuel wagering pool.

Emerald Downs is currently the only class 1 racing association in Washington.

Summary: The Horse Racing Commission is authorized to establish rules for the conduct of handicapping contests by class 1 racing associations. Handicapping contests conducted in accord with the rules established by the Horse Racing Commission are not subject to regulation under the Gambling Act.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      35   11
House      91   5

Effective: July 24, 2005