Louisiana § RS 4:149.3 - Interstate wagering; common pools

§ RS 4:149.3. Interstate wagering; common pools

A.  Subject to applicable federal laws, including but not limited to the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 (Chapter 57, commencing with Section 3001, of Title 15 of the United States Code) the commission may permit a licensee to participate in interstate common pools, including common pools which may include international jurisdictions.  All provisions of law governing pari-mutuel betting apply to pari-mutuel betting in interstate common pools except as otherwise provided in this Section or in the commission's rules.

B.  Participation in a common pool solely as a track conducting the race or as a receiving track will not cause such track to be deemed to be doing business in this state, or in the other state, for any purpose.

C.  With the prior approval of the commission, a licensee who is permitted to accept wagers in this state on horse races conducted at tracks conducting races located outside of this state may combine pari-mutuel pools in this state with comparable pools at the track conducting the race.

D.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this Chapter and subject to the approval of the commission, the types of wagering, takeout, distribution of winnings, and rules of racing in effect for pari-mutuel pools at the track conducting the race shall govern wagers placed in this state and merged into the interstate common pool.  Breakage for interstate common pools shall be calculated in accordance with the law or rules governing the track conducting the race, and shall be distributed between participating jurisdictions in a manner agreed to between the licensee and the track conducting the race.

E.  With the prior approval of the commission and with the concurrence of the track conducting the race, an interstate common pool may be formed among the licensee and other receiving persons or entities in any states other than the state in which the track conducting the race is located.  For such an interstate common pool, the commission may approve the types of wagering, takeout, distribution of winnings, rules of racing, and calculation of breakage which are different than those which would otherwise be applied in this state but are consistent for all parties to the interstate common pool.

F.  The licensee may deduct from wagers placed in any interstate common pool any fee to the person or entity conducting the race for the privilege of conducting pari-mutuel wagering on the race, and payment of costs incurred in transmitting the broadcast of the race and participation in the interstate common pool.

G.  The provisions of law or contract, if any, governing the distribution of shares of the takeout, from wagers placed in this state in separate pari-mutuel pools on races run in another state, to this state as pari-mutuel taxes, or respectively to breeder awards and to purses in this state, shall remain in effect for wagers placed in interstate common pools; provided that if the commission has approved an adjustment in the takeout rate, the distribution of the takeout within this state shall be adjusted proportionately to reflect the adjustment in the takeout rate; provided further that with the concurrence of the licensee, the share designated for purses may be modified.

H.  With the prior approval of the commission, a licensee may permit one or more of its races to be utilized for pari-mutuel wagering at one or more locations in other states, may transmit audio/visual signals of races the licensee conducts to one or more locations outside the state, and may also permit pari-mutuel pools in other states to be combined with its comparable wagering pools or with wagering pools established by other states.  The commission may modify its rules and may adopt separate rules governing interstate common pools, and may establish by rule separate provisions for interstate common pools governing the calculation of breakage.

I.  Pari-mutuel taxes shall not be imposed upon any amounts wagered in an interstate common pool other than upon amounts wagered within this state.

J.  The provisions of law or contract, if any, governing the distribution of shares of the takeout, from wagers placed in other states in separate pari-mutuel pools on races run in this state, respectively to breeder awards and to purses in this state, shall remain in effect for wagers placed in interstate common pools.  Provided that with the concurrence of the licensee and the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, and the appropriate breeder's organization, the share of breeder awards or purses may be modified.

Acts 1990, No. 558, §1, eff. July 19, 1990.