Permits shall be granted by the commission to operate a running race meeting on not more than three tracks and harness race meetings on not more than four tracks. No person, partnership, association or corporation shall be granted a permit to operate a harness race meeting on any day or days for which a prior permit holder has been granted a permit to conduct a harness race meeting located within twenty-five miles of any track already licensed without the consent of such prior licensee.
N.J.S. § 5:5-45