Code of Alabama - Title 45: Local Laws - Section 45-32-150.12 - Pari-mutuel wagering; hours of racetrack operation and number of races

Section 45-32-150.12 - Pari-mutuel wagering; hours of racetrack operation and number of races.

(a) The commission shall make rules governing, permitting, and regulating the wagering on dog races under the form of mutuel wagering by patrons known as pari-mutuel wagering, which method shall be legal to the extent that and so long as, the same is carried on and conducted strictly in conformity with this part, and not otherwise. Only the persons, associations, or corporations receiving a license from the commission shall have the right or privilege to conduct this type of wagering and the licenses shall restrict and confine this form of wagering to a space within the race meeting grounds. All other forms of wagering on the result of dog races shall continue to be illegal, and any or all wagering outside of the enclosure of such races, where such races shall have been licensed by the commission shall be illegal.

(b) No person or corporation shall directly or indirectly purchase pari-mutuel tickets or participate in the purchase of any part of a pari-mutuel pool for another for hire or for any gratuity and no person shall purchase any part of a pari-mutuel pool through another, wherein he or she gives or pays directly or indirectly such other person anything of value. Any person violating this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment not to exceed six months, or both fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.

(c) In addition to other rules and regulations that may be promulgated by the racing commission, the following shall be complied with by the licensee or operator of the race plant and employees thereof.

(1) A duly licensed veterinarian shall be on the grounds at weighing time and make examination of the physical condition of each greyhound, and any dog not considered to be in good physical condition, shall be reported to the presiding official.

(2) An adequate security force shall be employed as prescribed by the racing commission. Members of security force shall have the same powers as other law enforcement officers of the county while performing their duties on the premises of the racetrack.

(3) Public liability insurance shall be carried by the licensee or operator in an amount and with a company approved by the racing commission.

(4) A pari-mutuel ticket shall not be sold to an individual who is visibly inebriated.

(5) The racing operator is authorized to open the Greene County Racetrack for business and to conduct live greyhound racing and or televised horse or greyhound racing and pari-mutuel wagering during the hours as it deems desirable, however in no event shall the racing commission be authorized to allow live greyhound racing or televised horse or greyhound racing, or both, and pari-mutuel wagering thereon to be conducted after 2:00 AM on Sunday; provided that the racing operator shall not conduct any live racing event at the Greene County Racetrack before 10:00 AM, nor shall it present any televised racing event before 8:00 AM with the hour to be determined according to the time then applicable in Alabama. If the racing operator keeps the Greene County Racetrack open for business until midnight on any day, whether conducting pari-mutuel wagering on live racing or televised racing, or both, the racing operator may continue all or any of its operations past midnight for not exceeding the first two hours of the following day, even if the following day is not a day on which the Greene County Racetrack is scheduled to be open for business as a racing day permitted under this part, and the time, not exceeding two hours, for which the operations of the racetrack are continued into the following day shall not be counted as a racing day or any part thereof against the limit of racing days permitted the racing operator in any one year. A pari-mutuel ticket shall not be sold to an individual who is visibly inebriated.

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of this part and any rules and regulations of the racing commission now in effect, there shall be no limit imposed upon the number of races which may be conducted within a single racing program.

(Acts 1975, No. 376, p. 926, §13; Act 96-650, p. 1043, §4.)

Last modified: May 3, 2021