ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

HB 2374: additional wagering facilities; cap; removal

Sponsor: Representative Dunn, LD 13

Committee on Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Overview

Repeals the statute that limits a live-racing permittee in Pima County to owning or leasing no more than six additional wagering facilities that begin operations there between August 27, 2019 and June 30, 2022.

History

Those who conduct live racing in Arizona must apply and obtain a permit from the Arizona Racing Commission (Commission), which is within the Arizona Department of Gaming. This department also licenses various individuals involved in horseracing, such as horse owners, trainers, jockeys and business vendors (A.R.S. § 5-107 et seq.) There are currently three live-racing permittees: Turf Paradise (Maricopa County), Arizona Downs (Yavapai County) and Rillito Park Racetrack (Pima County).

An additional wagering facility is a place that is outside the enclosure where authorized racing takes place but meets certain statutory requirements and is used by a permittee for wagering. Live-racing permittees in counties with a population of less than 500,000 people or at least 1.5 million people can conduct wagering at additional facilities they own or lease and that are approved by the Commission (A.R.S. §§ 5-101(1) and 5-111(A)).

However, statute limits a live-racing permittee in a county with a population of 750,000-1.5 million people to owning or leasing no more than six new additional wagering facilities that begin operations in that county between August 27, 2019 and June 30, 2022 (A.R.S. § 5-118). Pima County had an estimated population of 1,047,279 people as of July 1, 2019.

Provisions

1. Repeals A.R.S. § 5-118. (Sec. 1)

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5. HB 2374

6. Initials PAB Page 0 Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

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