SB1524

THE CONTEXT: Pursuant to A.R.S. 5-104, the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) Division of Racing establishes and collects a regulatory assessment from each commercial racing permittee, payable from amounts deducted from pari-mutuel pools by the permittee, from amounts wagered on live and simulcast races from in-state and out-of-state wagering handled by the permittee. All monies received from the regulatory assessment are deposited into the Racing Regulation Fund, which is the primary funding source for the Division of Racing. While ADG has the authority to set the regulatory assessment rate, the Legislature, for each FY since 2017, has set the rate at 0.5% of the amounts wagered.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would continues for FY 2024, as session law, ADG's regulatory assessment of 0.5% on the amounts wagered on live and simulcast races from in-state and out-of-state wagering handled by a commercial racing permittee.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to make the stated financial responsibility enforceable and keep public reporting on time. It would continues for FY 2024, as session law, ADG's regulatory assessment of 0.5% on the amounts wagered on live and simulcast races from in-state and out-of-state wagering handled by a commercial racing permittee, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.