Brief Description: Approving the importing of one simulcast race of regional or national interest on horse race days.

Sponsors: Senator Hewitt.

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

Background: Simulcasting is the process of conducting wagering on a horse race that is broadcast live on television from a race track. Imported simulcast signals are simulcast signals that originate at racetracks outside the state. Class 1 racetracks are allowed to show simulcast signals from, and conduct wagering on, imported simulcast signals.

In 2004, the Legislature passed ESSB 6481 which governed class 1 racing associations' authority to participate in parimutuel wagering. ESSB 6481 inadvertently removed the authority for a licensed racing association to import one simulcast race of regional or national interest on each live race day.

The Horse Racing Commission (Commission) may license race meets that are nonprofit in nature, of 10 days or less, and which have an average daily handle of $120,000 or less. A nonprofit racing association is a person or entity licensed by the Commission to hold race meets that are nonprofit in nature.

Summary: A nonprofit racing association may, with Commission approval, import one simulcast race of regional or national interest on each live race day.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      40   8
House      95   0

Effective:   April 18, 2007