An Act to Include Harness Racing with Other Sports for Purposes
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1188
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: COOPER, BLACK
Amends: 8 MRSA §275-B, 8 MRSA §275-C

Legislative Document
No. 1188
H.P. 793
House of Representatives, March 20, 2025
An Act to Include Harness Racing with Other Sports for Purposes 
of Sports Wagering
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative COOPER of Windham.
Cosponsored by Senator BLACK of Franklin and
Representatives: CRAY of Palmyra, FROST of Belgrade, GUERRETTE of Caribou, HALL of 
Wilton, PERKINS of Dover-Foxcroft.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, Maine harness racing is an important historic sport; and
Whereas, attracting new fans to Maine harness racing is critical to the future 
well-being of the industry and agriculture; and
Whereas, the regulation of harness racing is under the jurisdiction of the Department 
of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry while the regulation of sports wagering is under 
the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Safety; and
Whereas, this dual regulatory environment has created a situation in which harness 
racing may not be shown and wagered upon at all physical sports wagering locations; and
Whereas, the 2025 racing season commences in April and this legislation must take 
effect before the 2025 racing season commences; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  8 MRSA §275-B, as amended by PL 2023, c. 51, §1, is further amended to 
read:
§275-B.  Sale of pari-mutuel pools
The following persons may sell pari-mutuel pools on horse racing in accordance with 
this chapter and rules adopted by the commission.
1.  Racetracks.  A person licensed pursuant to section 271 to conduct harness horse 
racing with pari-mutuel betting may sell pari-mutuel pools and common pari-mutuel pools 
for simulcast races.  The seller must be within the enclosure of the racetrack where the 
licensed race or race meet is conducted or, within the licensee's slot machine facilities 
licensed pursuant to section 1011 or at any licensee's facility licensed pursuant to section 
1206.
2.  Off-track betting facility.  A person licensed pursuant to section 275‑D to operate 
an off-track betting facility may sell pari-mutuel pools at that licensed facility.
3.  Facilities approved by commission.  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter 
to the contrary, a person licensed pursuant to section 271 to conduct harness horse racing 
with pari-mutuel betting may sell pari-mutuel pools and common pari-mutuel pools for 
simulcast races at a facility if approved by the commission under this subsection.  The 
commission may approve a facility under this subsection only if it is located within the 
same county as the commercial track where the race or races are conducted, it is not located 
within the same municipality as an off-track betting facility licensed under section 275‑D 
and the municipal officers of the municipality in which the facility is located approve of 
the sale of pari-mutuel pools or common pari-mutuel pools at the facility.  A person 
authorized to operate a facility that receives approval under this subsection shall provide 
the municipality in which the facility is located 5% of the track share of the commission 
allocated by section 286, subsection 5.
A person authorized to sell pari-mutuel pools and common pari-mutuel pools for simulcast 
races at a facility under this subsection may conduct at the facility any other activities 
incidental to and permitted by that license under section 271.
This subsection is repealed January 1, 2026.
Sec. 2.  8 MRSA §275-C, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2021, c. 406, §4, is further 
amended to read:
1.  Authority.  A person authorized to sell pari-mutuel pools on horse racing may sell 
common pari-mutuel pools for simulcast races.  The sale must be conducted within the 
enclosure of the licensee's racetrack, at the licensee's slot machine facilities licensed 
pursuant to section 1011, at the licensee's off-track betting facility or at a facility approved 
by the commission in accordance with section 275‑B, subsection 3 any licensee's facility 
licensed pursuant to section 1206.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill allows for the sale of pari-mutuel pools by persons who are licensed by the 
Maine State Harness Racing Commission as commercial racetracks at facilities also 
licensed by the Department of Public Safety, Gambling Control Unit for sports wagering.  
It repeals a provision of law that restricts where persons licensed to conduct harness horse 
racing with pari-mutuel betting may sell pari-mutuel pools for simulcast races that 
otherwise would be repealed on January 1, 2026.