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April 26, 2024 Clear | 38°F
The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Section 1: Definitions

[ Text of section effective until December 15, 2025. Repealed by 2011, 194, Sec. 41. See 2011, 194, Sec. 112 as amended by 2014, 165, Sec. 192; 2016, 176, Sec. 12B; 2017, 56, Sec. 14; 2018, 159, Sec. 14; 2019, 47, Sec. 14; 2020, 1, Sec. 14; 2020, 106, Sec. 14; 2021, 27, Sec. 14; 2022, 128, Sec. 14; and 2023, 26, Sec. 20. Expiration of section does not take effect. See 1992, 101, Sec. 13 as amended by 1995, 268, Sec. 20; 1999, 163, Sec. 12; 2000, 354, Sec. 14; 2001, 25, Sec. 1; 2001, 54, Sec. 4; 2001, 70, Sec. 4; 2001, 95, Sec. 4; 2001, 108, Sec. 4; 2001, 121, Sec. 4; 2001, 139, Sec. 39; 2005, 176, Sec. 12; 2006, 54, Sec. 11; 2006, 449, Secs. 18 and 21; 2008, 290, Sec. 11; 2009, 167, Sec. 11; 2010, 203, Sec. 11; 2011, 77, Sec. 11 and as repealed by 2011, 194, Sec. 83.]

  Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

[ Definitions of "Breaks'' and "Bridge signal'' inserted following introductory clause effective until December 15, 2025. See 2001, 139, Sec. 45 as amended by 2005, 176, Sec. 13; 2006, 54, Sec. 12; 2006, 449, Secs. 19 and 21; 2008, 290, Sec. 12; 2009, 167, Sec. 12; 2010, 203, Sec. 12; 2011, 77, Sec. 12; 2011, 194, Sec. 84; 2014, 264, Sec. 11; 2016, 176, Sec. 11; 2017, 56, Sec. 11; 2018, 159, Sec. 11; 2019, 47, Sec. 11; 2020, 1, Sec. 11; 2020, 106, Sec. 11; 2021, 27, Sec. 11; 2022, 128, Sec. 11; and 2023, 26, Sec. 17.]

  "Breaks'', in the case of racing meetings conducted in the commonwealth by a racing meeting licensee, the odd cents over any multiple of 10 cents of winnings per $1 wagered. In the case of racing meetings conducted at a host track outside the commonwealth, the amount of the breaks shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the state in which the host track is located.

  "Bridge signal'', an entire racing card from a single running horse racing meeting located in the state of Arizona, California, Oregon, Texas or Washington.

  "Commission'', the Massachusetts gaming commission established in chapter 23K.

  "Companion card'', a full program of running horse races from outside the commonwealth run at the same time as the running horse racing meeting licensee located in Suffolk county on a specified day as approved by the state racing commission.

  "Dark days'', those days during a racing season on which live racing is not conducted.

  "Dark season'', that period of consecutive days between racing seasons during which a racing meeting licensee may not conduct live racing performances.

  "Full schedule of live racing performances'', the conduct of no fewer than seven live races at not less than four separate racing performances each full week during a racing season.

  "Guest track'', a racing meeting licensee or an out-of-state pari-mutuel wagering facility which accepts any simulcast wager on a live race conducted at another track which is presented by simulcast at its facility.

  "Host track'', a racing meeting licensee or an out-of-state track which conducts a live race which is the subject of inter-track simulcasting and simulcast wagering.

  "Inter-track simulcasting'', the simulcast of a live race conducted at one track to another track, whether either of said tracks is inside or outside the commonwealth, to permit the recipient of the simulcast to accept simulcast wagers on the race.

[ Definition of "Premium'' inserted following definition of "Inter-track simulcasting'' effective until December 15, 2025. See 2001, 139, Sec. 45 as amended by 2005, 176, Sec. 13; 2006, 54, Sec. 12; 2006, 449, Secs. 19 and 21; 2008, 290, Sec. 12; 2009, 167, Sec. 12; 2010, 203, Sec. 12; 2011, 77, Sec. 12; 2011, 194, Sec. 84; 2014, 264, Sec. 11; 2016, 176, Sec. 11; 2017, 56, Sec. 11; 2018, 159, Sec. 11; 2019, 47, Sec. 11; 2020, 1, Sec. 11; 2020, 106, Sec. 11; 2021, 27, Sec. 11; 2022, 128, Sec. 11; and 2023, 26, Sec. 17.]

  "Premium'', the amount paid to a racing meeting licensee in addition to the host track fee.

  "Racing card'', a full program of races on a specified day as approved by the state racing commission at a racing meeting licensee, a pari-mutuel licensee, or other licensed wagering facility located outside the commonwealth.

[ Definition of "Racing day'' inserted following definition of "Racing card'' effective until December 15, 2025. See 2001, 139, Sec. 45 as amended by 2005, 176, Sec. 13; 2006, 54, Sec. 12; 2006, 449, Secs. 19 and 21; 2008, 290, Sec. 12; 2009, 167, Sec. 12; 2010, 203, Sec. 12; 2011, 77, Sec. 12; 2011, 194, Sec. 84; 2014, 264, Sec. 11; 2016, 176, Sec. 11; 2017, 56, Sec. 11; 2018, 159, Sec. 11; 2019, 47, Sec. 11; 2020, 1, Sec. 11; 2020, 106, Sec. 11; 2021, 27, Sec. 11; 2022, 128, Sec. 11; and 2023, 26, Sec. 17.]

  "Racing day'', a day on which 1 or more racing performances are conducted.

  "Racing meeting licensee'', a person licensed by the commission, under chapter one hundred and twenty-eight A or any special law, to conduct live horse or dog racing meetings; provided, however, that for the purposes of this chapter the words racing meeting licensee shall not include licensees holding racing meetings in connection with a state or county fair.

  "Racing performance'', the conduct of at least seven live races during one day.

  "Racing season'', that period of consecutive days including dark days during which a racing meeting licensee conducts a full schedule of live racing performances pursuant to his operating license.

  "Same class'', with respect to greyhound racing, greyhound races; with respect to thoroughbred racing, thoroughbred races; with respect to harness racing, harness races.

  "Simulcast'', the broadcast, transmission, receipt or exhibition, by any medium or manner, of a live race, including but not limited to, a system, network, or programmer which transmits, or receives, television or radio signals by wire, satellite, or otherwise.

  "Simulcast wager'', a wager taken at a guest track on a race conducted live at another track, whether inside or outside the commonwealth.

  "Takeout'', that amount of money wagered which is not returned as prize money to the wagerers and which does not include the breaks as defined in section five of chapter one hundred and twenty-eight A of the General Laws.