With the exception of televised simulcast programming of horse races and greyhound races authorized in accordance with Section 11-65-32, it shall be unlawful for any person to transmit or communicate to another by any means whatsoever the results, changing odds, track conditions, or other information relating to any horse race or greyhound race from any racetrack in a commission municipal jurisdiction between the period of time beginning one hour prior to the first race of the day and ending 30 minutes after the posting of the official results of each race, as to that particular race, except this period may be reduced to permit the transmitting of the result of the last race each day not sooner than 15 minutes after the official posting of such results; provided, however, that a commission may by rule permit the immediate transmission by radio, television (other than televised simulcast programming pursuant to Section 11-65-32 hereof), or press wire of any pertinent information concerning feature races.
It shall be unlawful for any person to transmit by any means whatsoever racing information to any other person or relay the same to any other person by word of mouth, by signal, or by use of telephone, telegraph, radio, or any other means when the information is knowingly used or intended to be used for illegal gambling purposes or in furtherance of such gambling purposes. It is the legislative intent that the improper use of instruments of communication referred to in the preceding sentence is prohibited and not the possession or lawful use of such instruments on the premises of any racing facility under the jurisdiction of a commission, and nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit, or to authorize a commission to prohibit, the location of public telephones in or about a racing facility or the possession of portable telephones by members of the general public when attending racing events.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than 10 years, or fined not less than $5,000.00 nor more than $50,000.00, or both, in the discretion of the court.
Last modified: May 3, 2021