811 Ky. Admin. Regs. 1:125

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 811 KAR 1:125 - Pari-mutuel wagering

RELATES TO: KRS 138.510-138.550, 230.210-230.375, 230.990

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 230.215(2) grants the commission the authority to regulate conditions under which standardbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering thereon shall be conducted in Kentucky. KRS 230.361(1) requires the authority to promulgate administrative regulations governing and regulating mutuel wagering on horse races under the pari-mutuel system of wagering. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for the operation of pari-mutuel wagering under KRS Chapter 230 and 811 KAR Chapter 1.

Section 1. Pari-Mutuel System of Wagering Required.

(1) The only wagering permitted on a live or historical horse race shall be under the pari-mutuel system of wagering. All systems of wagering other than pari-mutuel shall be prohibited. Any person participating or attempting to participate in prohibited wagering shall be ejected and excluded from association grounds.

(2) Wagering conducted in conformity with KRS Chapter 230 and 811 KAR Chapter 1 is pari-mutuel.

Section 2. Totalizator or Other Approved Equipment Required.

(1) Pari-mutuel wagering on live and historical horse races shall only be conducted through the use of a totalizator or other similar mechanical equipment approved by the commission pursuant to KRS 230.361.

(2) The totalizator or other mechanical equipment shall be available for testing under the supervision of the commission upon request by the commission to ensure its proper working order.

Section 3. Wagering on an Historical Horse Race Authorized.

(1) Wagering on an historical horse race is hereby authorized and may be conducted in accordance with KRS Chapter 230 and 811 KAR Chapter 1.

(2) Wagering on an historical horse race shall only be conducted by:

(a) An association licensed to conduct a live horse race meet; or

(b) Two (2) or more associations licensed to conduct a live horse race meet:

1. Who form a joint venture; or

2. Pursuant to an agreement between them.

(3) Wagering on an historical horse race shall only be permitted in a designated area on the licensed premises of an association licensed to conduct a live horse race meeting. Wagering on historical horse racing shall not be offered in any other location.

(4) An association may conduct wagering on historical horse races of any horse breed regardless of the type of breed that primarily races in live meets conducted by the association. An association may conduct wagering on historical races on any days and hours approved by the commission, and shall not be limited to times during which the association is conducting a live horse race meeting.

(5) Any wager placed on an historical horse race is an exotic wager.

(6) Before offering wagering on an historical horse race, an association shall first obtain the commission's written approval of all wagers offered as set forth in 811 KAR 1:250.

(7) All wagering on an historical horse race shall incorporate the following elements:

(a) A patron may only wager on an historical horse race on a terminal approved by the commission;

(b) An association shall at all times maintain at least two (2) terminals offering each type of exotic wager on an historical horse race;

(c) Once a patron deposits the wagered amount in the terminal offering wagering on an historical horse race, an historical horse race shall be chosen at random;

(d) Prior to the patron making his or her wager selections, the terminal shall not display any information that would allow the patron to identify the historical race on which he or she is wagering, including the location of the race, the date on which the race was run, the names of the horses in the race, or the names of the jockeys that rode the horses in the race;

(e) The terminal shall make available true and accurate past performance information on the historical horse race to the patron prior to making his or her wager selections. The information shall be current as of the day the historical horse race was actually run. The information provided to the patron shall be displayed on the terminal in data or graphical form; and

(f) After a patron finalizes his or her wager selections, the terminal shall display a video replay of the race, or a portion thereof, and the official results of the race. The identity of the race shall be revealed to the patron after the patron has placed his or her wager.

Section 4. Payouts Only Out of Pari-Mutuel Pools: Seed Pools Required.

(1)

(a) A wager on an historical horse race, less deductions permitted by KRS Chapter 230 or 811 KAR Chapter 1, shall be placed in pari-mutuel pools approved by the commission.

(b) A payout to a winning patron shall be paid from money wagered by patrons and shall not constitute a wager against the association.

(c) An association conducting wagering on an historical horse race shall not conduct wagering in such a manner that patrons are wagering against the association, or in such a manner that the amount retained by the association as a commission is dependent upon the outcome of any particular race or the success of any particular wager.

(2) An association shall only pay a winning wager on an historical horse race out of the applicable pari-mutuel pool and shall not pay a winning wager out of the association's funds. Payment of a winning wager shall not exceed the amount available in the applicable pari-mutuel pool.

(3) An association offering wagering on an historical horse race shall operate seed pools in a manner and method approved by the commission as set forth in 811 KAR 1:250. For each wager made, an association may assign a percentage of the wager to seed pools. The seed pools shall be maintained and funded so that the amount available at any given time is sufficient to ensure that a patron will be paid the minimum amount required on a winning wager.

(4) An association shall provide the funding for the initial seed pool for each type of exotic wager. The funding for the initial seed pool shall be nonrefundable and in an amount sufficient to ensure that a patron will be paid the minimum amount required on a winning wager.

Section 5. Location of Terminals Used for Wagering on an Historical Horse Race.

(1) Terminals offering wagering on historical horse races shall be located within designated areas which have the prior written approval of the commission. Designated areas shall be established in such a way as to control access by the general public and prevent entry by any patron who is under eighteen (18) years of age or is otherwise not permitted to place wagers.

(2) Each association shall monitor persons entering and leaving the designated areas and shall prevent access to any patron who is under eighteen (18) years of age or is otherwise not permitted to place wagers on historical horse races.

(3) Each association shall provide terminals that are accessible to handicapped patrons.

Section 6. Records to be Maintained.

(1) Each association and each simulcast facility authorized under KRS 230.380 shall maintain complete records of all pari-mutuel wagering transactions on live and historical horse races, including the amounts wagered at each betting window, self-service totalizator, mobile pari-mutuel teller, and terminal.

(2) A copy of the wagering records shall be retained and safeguarded for a period of not less than two (2) years and shall not be destroyed without the prior written permission of the commission.

Section 7. Equipment.

(1) The association and the totalizator provider shall install a primary and secondary device, which activate the stop betting function of the totalizator system. The presiding judge, or his or her designee, shall use the primary device to stop wagering at the start of a live horse race. If wagering is not stopped by the primary device at the start of the race, the totalizator operator shall stop wagering using the secondary device. The secondary device shall be installed in the totalizator room and shall only be used by the totalizator operator.

(2) If there is a complete breakdown of the totalizator or mechanical equipment during the wagering on a live horse race, the wagering on that race shall be declared closed. If the totalizator remains capable of computing payouts, the payouts for that race shall be computed based on the amounts wagered prior to the breakdown. If the totalizator is incapable of computing payouts, then refunds shall be issued for all amounts wagered on that race.

(3) If there is a complete breakdown of a terminal offering wagering on an historical horse race, the association offering the wager shall make a full refund of the patron's balance on the terminal at the time of the breakdown.

Section 8. Entries in a Live Horse Race.

(1) The presiding judge shall timely advise an association's pari-mutuel manager, prior to the beginning of wagering on each live horse race, of the horses that will compete in the race.

(2) If two (2) or more horses entered for the same live horse race are determined by the commission to have common ties through ownership or training, they may be joined by the commission as a mutuel entry. The mutuel entry shall become a single betting interest and a wager on one (1) horse in a mutuel entry shall be a wager on all horses in the same mutuel entry. If the number of horses competing in a live horse race exceeds the numbering capacity of the totalizator, the racing secretary shall assign the highest pari-mutuel numbers to horses so that the highest numbered horse within the numbering capacity of the totalizator together with horses of higher numbers, shall be grouped in the mutuel field as a single betting interest, and a wager on one (1) horse in the mutuel field shall be a wager on all horses in the same mutuel field.

(3) A refund at cost value shall be made to all holders of a purchased ticket bearing the number of a horse in any race that has been scratched or withdrawn before the horse has become a starter, unless the horse is part of a mutuel entry, and one (1) or more of the entry starts.

Section 9. Sale of Pari-Mutuel Tickets on Live Horse Races.

(1) The following types of pari-mutuel wagering shall be permitted on a live horse race at all licensed associations and simulcast facilities:

(a) Normal win, place, and show wagers on each race;

(b) Any exotic wager previously approved by the commission; and

(c) Any new exotic wager approved in writing by the commission pursuant to 811 KAR 1:250.

(2) Pari-mutuel tickets on live horse races shall not be sold except by a licensed association or a simulcast facility authorized by KRS 230.380.

(3) Pari-mutuel tickets on a live horse race shall only be sold at regular ticket windows, self-service totalizator machines, by mobile pari-mutuel tellers with hand-held totalizator devices, or by any other method approved in writing by the commission prior to being offered to the public. At least one (1) regular ticket window shall be made accessible to handicapped patrons.

(4)

(a) Pari-mutuel stored value cards or cash vouchers may be offered by an association. The dollar amount on the stored value card or cash voucher may be redeemed at any time at any regular ticket window or used to fund additional wagers.

(b) Cash vouchers shall be valid for one (1) year after the date of issuance. Failure to present any cash voucher for redemption within one (1) year of issuance shall constitute a waiver of the right to receive payment on the voucher.

(5) A pari-mutuel wager shall not be made on a race after the totalizator has been locked for that race.

(6) Any claim by a patron that he or she has been issued a pari-mutuel ticket other than that which was requested shall be made before the patron has left the ticket window or before the mobile teller has initiated a transaction with another patron. A claim for an incorrect ticket shall not be honored after the totalizator has been locked.

Section 10. Payment on Pari-Mutuel Tickets on Live Horse Races.

(1) At the end of each live horse race, the judges shall advise the manager of the pari-mutuel department by the use of the totalizator equipment or by telephone of the official placement of the horses, and payouts shall not be made until the receipt of the notice.

(2) Payment of valid pari-mutuel tickets shall be made on the basis of the order of finish as declared "official" by the judges. A subsequent change in the order of finish or award of purse money that may result from a subsequent ruling by the judges or commission shall not affect the pari-mutuel payout.

(3) Each association shall deduct from each pari-mutuel pool a commission, not exceeding the commission provided by KRS 230.750. The remainder of the pool after the deduction of the commission shall be the net pool for distribution as payouts to ticket holders.

(4) Payment on valid pari-mutuel tickets shall be made only if presented and surrendered within one (1) year following the running of the live horse race on which the wager was made. Failure to present a ticket within one (1) year shall constitute a waiver of the right to receive payment on the ticket.

(5) The association shall be responsible for the correctness of all payout prices posted as "official." If an error is made in posting the payout figures, and ascertained before any tickets are cashed, the posting error shall be corrected, accompanied by a public address announcement, and only the correct amounts shall be used in the payout, irrespective of the initial error.

(6) A mutilated pari-mutuel ticket that is not easily identifiable as being a valid ticket shall not be accepted for payment.

(7) An association shall establish a written procedure for granting patrons an opportunity to file a claim on a lost pari-mutuel ticket and provide a copy to the commission.

(8) Prior to posting payouts, the association's pari-mutuel manager shall require the verification of the winning runners and prices prior to posting official results.

(9)

(a) If an error is made in calculating the payout on a winning wager, resulting in overpayment, the association shall be responsible for the amount between the correct payout and the amount paid.

(b) If the error in calculation results in a payout being too low, the amount between the correct payout and the amount paid shall be added to the net pool of the same position in the following race on the same day or, if it is the last race of the day, then it shall be added to the net pool of the same position in the same race on the following day. If an error occurs in computing the daily double pool, the underpayment shall be added to the daily double pool of the following day.

(c) If an error occurs causing underpayment on the last race of the entire racing meeting, the amount of the underpayment shall be paid to the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet.

Section 11. Minimum Wagers and Payouts.

(1) The minimum wager to be accepted by any licensed association on a live horse race shall be ten (10) cents. The minimum payout on a one (1) dollar wager on a live horse race shall be one (1) dollar and ten (10) cents, unless a minus pool occurs. If a minus pool occurs, the minimum payout for a one (1) dollar wager shall be one (1) dollar and five (5) cents.

(2) The minimum wager to be accepted by any licensed association on an historical horse race shall be ten (10) cents. The minimum payout on any wager shall not be less than the amount wagered.

Section 12. Minors Prohibited from Wagering. A minor shall not be permitted by any licensed association or simulcast facility to purchase or cash a pari-mutuel ticket.

Section 13. Odds and Payouts Posted.

(1) Approximate odds for live horse races, based on win pool betting for finishing first for each betting interest, shall be posted on one (1) or more boards or television screens within view of the wagering public at intervals of not more than ninety (90) seconds.

(2) If daily double wagering is conducted on a live horse race, before off-time of the second daily double race, the probable payout for each two (2) dollar daily double wager combining the winner of the first daily double race with every horse or betting interest in the second daily double race shall be posted; except that if a dead heat for first in the first daily double race occurs, or a scheduled starter in the second daily double race is excused so as to cause a consolation daily double pool, then posting of all possible payouts shall not be mandatory, but the association shall make every effort to compute such daily double prices and advise the public by posting or public address announcement as soon as possible and prior to the running of the second daily double race.

(3) For wagering on an historical horse race, approximate odds or payouts for each wagering pool shall be posted on each terminal for viewing by patrons at intervals of no more than ninety (90) seconds.

Section 14. Betting Explanation.

(1) Each association shall publish in the daily race program, for each day of live horse racing, a general explanation of pari-mutuel wagering offered on live horse races and an explanation of each type of betting pool offered. The explanation also shall be posted in conspicuous places about the association grounds to adequately inform the public and shall be submitted to the commission prior to publication for approval.

(2) Each association shall post, in conspicuous places in the designated area, a general explanation of pari-mutuel wagering offered on historical horse races and an explanation of each betting pool offered. The explanation shall be submitted to the commission for approval prior to its posting.

Section 15. Prior Approval Required for Number of Live Horse Races. Each association desiring to conduct more than nine (9) live horse races on a single day shall first apply in writing to the commission and obtain specific approval of the number of live horse races to be offered on a single day.

Section 16. Pools Dependent Upon Entries for Live Horse Races.

(1) If horses representing five (5) or fewer betting interests qualify to start in a live horse race, the association may prohibit show wagering on that race. If horses representing four (4) or fewer betting interests qualify to start in a live horse race, the association may prohibit both place and show wagering on that race.

(2) If a horse is scratched by the judges after wagering has commenced or a horse is prevented from running in a live horse race because of failure of a starting-gate door to open properly, and the number of actual starters representing different betting interests is:

(a) Reduced to five (5), the association may cancel show wagering on that race and the entire show pool shall be refunded upon presentation and surrender of show tickets; or

(b) Reduced to four (4) or fewer, the association may cancel both place and show wagering on that race and the entire place and show pool shall be refunded upon presentation and surrender of place and show tickets.

Section 17. Emergency Situation. If any emergency arises in connection with the operation of the pari-mutuel department not provided for by this administrative regulation, the pari-mutuel manager shall take immediate corrective action and shall by the quickest means possible notify the presiding judge and render a full report to the commission.

Section 18. Severability. In the event that any provision or administrative regulation of this chapter is found to be invalid, the remaining provisions of this chapter shall not be affected nor diminished thereby.

811 KAR 1:125

KTC 1-8, Rule 28; 1 Ky.R. 1118; eff. 6-11-1976; 3 Ky.R. 402; eff. 12-1-1976; 4 Ky.R. 240; eff. 2-1-1978; 5 Ky.R. 709; eff. 5-2-1979; 6 Ky.R. 309; eff. 1-2-1980; 439; eff. 4-1-1980; 7 Ky.R. 503; eff. 1-6-81; 929; eff. 7-1-1981; 8 Ky.R. 1168; eff. 6-2-1982; 10 Ky.R. 174; eff. 8-3-1983; 14 Ky.R. 1656; eff. 3-10-1988; 28 Ky.R. 485; 885; 1139; eff. 10-12-2001; 2258; 2577; eff. 6-14-2002; 29 Ky.R. 2364; 2694; eff. 5-15-2003; 37 Ky.R. 837; 2862; eff. 7-1-2011.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 230.215, 230.240, 230.260, 230.280, 230.290, 230.300, 230.310, 230.320, 230.361, 230.370