Iowa Code § 99D.9 — IA Code / Title III / Chapter 99D / Section 99D.9
Licenses — terms and conditions — revocation.
Status: in_force

(1) If the commission is satisfied that its rules and sections 99D.8 through 99D.25 applicable to licensees have been or will be complied with, it may issue a license for a period of not more than three years. The commission may decide which types of racing it will permit. The commission may permit dog racing, horse racing of various types, or both dog and horse racing. However, only quarter horse and thoroughbred racing shall be allowed to be conducted at the horse racetrack located in Polk county. The commission shall decide the number, location, and type of all racetracks licensed under this chapter. The license shall set forth the name of the licensee, the type of license granted, the place where the race meeting is to be held, and the time and number of days during which racing may be conducted by the licensee. The commission shall not approve a license application if any part of the racetrack is to be constructed on prime farmland outside the city limits of an incorporated city. As used in this subsection, “prime farmland” means as defined by the United States department of agriculture in 7 C.F.R. §657.5(a). A license is not transferable or assignable. The commission may revoke any license issued for good cause upon reasonable notice and hearing. The commission shall conduct a neighborhood impact study to determine the impact of granting a license on the quality of life in neighborhoods adjacent to the proposed racetrack facility. The applicant for the license shall reimburse the commission for the costs incurred in making the study. A copy of the study shall be retained on file with the commission and shall be a public record. The study shall be completed before the commission may issue a license for the proposed facility.

(2) A license shall only be granted to a nonprofit corporation or association upon the express condition that the nonprofit corporation or association shall not, by a lease, contract, understanding, or arrangement of any kind, grant, assign, or turn over to a person the operation of a race meeting licensed under this section or of the pari-mutuel system of wagering described in section 99D.11. This section does not prohibit a management contract approved by the commission.

(3) A license shall not be granted to a nonprofit corporation if there is substantial evidence that the applicant for a license:

(3) (a) Has been suspended or ruled off a recognized course in another jurisdiction by the racing board or commission of that jurisdiction.

(3) (b) Has not demonstrated financial responsibility sufficient to meet adequately the requirements of the enterprise proposed.

(3) (c) Is not the true owner of the enterprise proposed.

(3) (d) Is not the sole owner, and other persons have ownership in the enterprise which fact has not been disclosed.

(3) (e) Is a corporation and ten percent of the stock of the corporation is subject to a contract or option to purchase at any time during the period for which the license is issued unless the contract or option was disclosed to the commission and the commission approved the sale or transfer during the period of the license.

(3) (f) Has knowingly made a false statement of a material fact to the commission.

(3) (g) Has failed to meet any monetary obligation in connection with a race meeting held in this state.

(4) A license shall not be granted to a nonprofit corporation if there is substantial evidence that stockholders or officers of the nonprofit corporation are not of good repute and moral character.

(5) A license shall not be granted to a licensee for racing on more than one racetrack at the same time.

(6) (a) A licensee shall not loan to any person money or any other thing of value for the purpose of permitting that person to wager on any race.

(6) (b) A licensee shall not permit a financial institution, vendor, or other person to dispense cash or credit through an electronic or mechanical device including but not limited to a satellite terminal as defined in section 527.2, that is located in the wagering area. However, this paragraph shall not apply to cashless wagering systems where a person accesses a cash account through a mobile application used by the licensee to conduct cashless wagering. The mobile application shall include the statewide telephone number authorized by the department of health and human services to provide problem gambling information and extensive responsible gaming features in addition to those described in section 99D.7, subsection 23.

(6) (c) When technologically available, a licensee shall ensure that a person may voluntarily bar the person’s access to receive cash or credit from a financial institution, vendor, or other person through an electronic or mechanical device including but not limited to a satellite terminal as defined in section 527.2, that is located on the licensed premises.

(7) Upon a violation of any of the conditions listed in this section, the commission shall immediately revoke the license.

(8) The commission shall require that a licensee utilize Iowa resources, goods, and services in the operation of a racetrack enclosure. The commission shall develop standards to assure that a substantial amount of all resources and goods used in the operation of a racetrack enclosure emanate from and are made in Iowa and that a substantial amount of all services and entertainment are provided by Iowans.

83 Acts, ch 187, §9; 84 Acts, ch 1266, §8 – 10; 94 Acts, ch 1021, §2; 2004 Acts, ch 1136, §9 – 11; 2011 Acts, ch 111, §3; 2022 Acts, ch 1143, §1; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §63