SB 576: Authorizing fixed odds racing in horse and dog racing - West Virginia

sb576 hfin am adopted.htm → sb576 sfa barrett _1 3-27 adopted.htm · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to replace the original version with a new version that adds detailed definitions for sports wagering, establishes specific funds for horse and dog racing wagering, and modifies how funds are distributed to racetracks. The amendment also removes a section that prohibited racing officials from placing wagers.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include comprehensive definitions for various types of sports wagering and established separate funding mechanisms for horse and dog racing.

DEFINITION

Added detailed definitions for terms like 'adjusted gross sports wagering receipts', 'collegiate sport', 'e-sports event', 'fixed odds wagering on horse/dog racing', and 'sports wagering' to clarify what activities are covered.

FISCAL

Created two new funds: a Fixed Odds Horse Racing Wagering Purse Supplement Fund and a Fixed Odds Dog Racing Wagering Purse Supplement Fund, each receiving 25% of collections from non-parlay wagers and 25% of parlay portions.

Changed fund distribution rules: horse racing funds now split 50/50 between purse payments and racetrack distribution, while dog racing funds split 50/50 between the Greyhound Breeding Development Fund and racetrack distribution.

REQUIREMENT

Removed Section 29-22D-25 which prohibited racing officials, owners, trainers, and jockeys from placing wagers on races they were involved in.

TECHNICAL

Changed section references from full citations (e.g., §29-22D-17a) to abbreviated forms (e.g., 29-22d-17a) in the fund usage section.

Committee Substitute → sb576 hfin am adopted.htm · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was substantially rewritten to add new sections authorizing fixed odds wagering on horse and dog racing, creating two new special revenue funds to distribute proceeds to racetracks, and establishing new definitions and regulatory requirements for the West Virginia Lottery Commission.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general sports wagering amendments to specifically include authorization for fixed odds wagering on horse and dog racing, with new funding mechanisms for racetracks.

SCOPE

Added authorization for fixed odds wagering on horse racing and dog racing, which was not previously included in the bill.

FISCAL

Created two new special revenue funds: Fixed Odds Horse Racing Wagering Purse Supplement Fund and Fixed Odds Dog Racing Wagering Purse Supplement Fund, with 10% of adjusted gross wagering receipts collected and distributed to racetracks.

DEFINITION

Added numerous new definitions including 'Fixed odds wagering on horse racing', 'Fixed odds wagering on dog racing', 'Licensed gaming facility', and expanded the definition of 'Sports wagering' to include fixed odds wagering.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for the Lottery Commission to examine regulations in other states, establish minimum internal control standards, and propose rules for banning patrons from sports betting.

Added prohibition on operators accepting wagers from racing officials, owners, trainers, or jockeys participating in the event on which they are wagering.

Added requirement that fixed odds wagering on horse races from West Virginia requires consent from the host racetrack and recognized horsemen's group.

Enrolled Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act to explicitly authorize fixed odds wagering on horse and dog racing, creating two new special revenue accounts to distribute a portion of wagering proceeds to racetracks for purse supplements. The changes expand the scope of legal sports wagering activities in the state and establish specific funding mechanisms to support thoroughbred and greyhound racing operations.

Scope change

Expanded from general sports wagering to include specific authorization for fixed odds wagering on horse and dog racing, with new definitions and regulatory requirements for these activities.

SCOPE

Added explicit authorization for fixed odds wagering on both horse and dog racing, previously not explicitly covered under the existing sports wagering framework.

FISCAL

Created two new special revenue accounts: Fixed Odds Horse Racing Wagering Purse Supplement Fund and Fixed Odds Dog Racing Wagering Purse Supplement Fund, each receiving 25% of 10% of adjusted gross wagering receipts from fixed odds bets.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Fixed odds wager on dog racing', 'Fixed odds wager on horse racing', 'Fixed odds wagering on dog racing', and 'Fixed odds wagering on horse racing' to clarify the scope of these new activities.

Modified the 'License' definition to include new license types: occupational license for employees and management services provider license.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that fixed odds wagering on horse races from West Virginia requires consent from the host racetrack and recognized horsemen's group.

Added requirement for commission to establish minimum internal control standards for sports wagering operations and wagering equipment.

ELIGIBILITY

Added prohibition preventing racing officials, owners, trainers, jockeys, and their employees from placing wagers on races in which they participate.

ENFORCEMENT

Added specific procedures for banning patrons from sports betting, including grounds for bans, complaint investigation procedures, and right to hearing.

Engrossed Committee Substitute → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 8 edits · Apr 28, 2025

MODERATE

This bill expands West Virginia's sports wagering framework to include fixed odds wagering on horse and dog racing, creating two new special revenue funds to distribute proceeds to racetracks. The changes add new definitions for fixed odds wagering, establish specific fund distribution percentages, and prohibit racing officials from wagering on events they participate in.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of authorized sports wagering activities in West Virginia to include fixed odds wagering on horse and dog racing, which previously were not explicitly covered under the existing sports wagering framework.

SCOPE

Added authorization for fixed odds wagering on both horse racing and dog racing, allowing operators to accept wagers with predetermined odds on these events.

FISCAL

Created two new special revenue funds: Fixed Odds Horse Racing Wagering Purse Supplement Fund and Fixed Odds Dog Racing Wagering Purse Supplement Fund, each receiving 25% of collections from non-parlay wagers and 25% of parlay portions wagered on horse/dog races.

Established distribution mechanisms where 50% of horse racing fund proceeds go to thoroughbred racetrack purse funds and 50% are distributed equally among licensed thoroughbred racetracks, while dog racing fund proceeds go 50% to the Greyhound Breeding Development Fund and 50% equally among licensed dog racetracks.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Fixed odds wager on dog racing', 'Fixed odds wager on horse racing', 'Fixed odds wagering on dog racing', and 'Fixed odds wagering on horse racing' to clarify what these wager types include.

Modified the definition of 'License' to include four new license types: operator license, supplier license, occupational license, and management services provider license.

Modified the definition of 'West Virginia Lottery sports wagering' to explicitly include fixed odds wagering on horse racing and dog racing while excluding pari-mutuel betting on horse or dog races.

ELIGIBILITY

Added prohibition preventing racing officials, owners, trainers, jockeys, and their employees from wagering on the events in which they participate.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that fixed odds wagering on horse races must comply with the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 and obtain consent from the host racetrack and recognized horsemen's group.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Committee Substitute · 4 edits · Apr 12, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand fixed odds wagering provisions for both horse and dog racing, adding a new definition for 'License' to include supplier and management service provider licenses, and creating a new section prohibiting racing officials from wagering on events they oversee. The most significant substantive change is the addition of Section 29-22D-25, which explicitly bans jockeys, trainers, owners, and racing officials from placing wagers on races they participate in or officiate, addressing potential conflicts of interest and promoting integrity in racing.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from four new sections to five new sections, with the addition of a new prohibition on wagering by racing officials and expanded license definitions to cover suppliers and management service providers.

ELIGIBILITY

Added Section 29-22D-25 prohibiting owners, trainers, jockeys, employees, and racing officials from wagering on races they are involved in or officiating to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure racing integrity.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'License' in Section 29-22D-3 to include four new license types: supplier license, occupational license, and management services provider license, broadening who can legally participate in the sports wagering ecosystem.

Added new definitions for 'Sports wagering agreement' and 'Sports wagering account' to clarify interstate compacts and patron financial records.

FISCAL

Added Section 29-22D-17c specifying that funds distributed to licensed racetracks may be used for operations authorized under existing racing and gaming laws or for capital improvements at racetrack facilities.

Authorizing fixed odds racing in horse and dog racing

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