Washington Administrative Code › Title 260 - Horse Racing Commission › Chapter 260-48 - Mutuels › Section 260-48-960 - Handicapping contests

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
A licensed class 1 racing association may operate a
				handicapping contest at which the participants may be charged an entry fee. All
				paid-entry handicapping contests must be conducted in accordance with the
				provisions of this rule. The executive secretary may approve handicapping
				contests provided they meet the following criteria:
(1) A handicapping contest is defined as a
			 competitive event, where participants, using individual skill to evaluate a
			 variety of factors including the past performance of horses to determine the
			 relative qualities and abilities of horses in a race, attempt to outperform
			 other participants in selecting the finish of horses. Participants who are most
			 successful in selecting horses become eligible to win prizes as prescribed in
			 the official rules of the contest. Prizes and format are predefined and at the
			 discretion of the class 1 racing association.
(2) A class 1 racing association desiring to
			 offer a paid-entry handicapping contest must first apply for and receive
			 approval from the commission to conduct a handicapping contest. The class 1
			 racing association must apply to the commission for approval of each and every
			 contest. The class 1 racing association must include with its application the
			 proposed rules for conducting the handicapping contest and the determination of
			 prizes. The class 1 racing association will obtain written approval to operate
			 the handicapping contest prior to the acceptance of any entry fees regarding
			 said contest.
(3) The class 1
			 racing association approved to operate a handicapping contest will distribute
			 at least ninety-five percent of the entry fees as prizes to the winners.
			 Nothing in this section will preclude an operator from providing additional
			 prizes or promotions.
(4) The entry
			 fee to enter a handicapping contest will be set by the class 1 racing
			 association. The entry fee and a description of all goods and services to be
			 awarded as part of the handicapping contest must be fully disclosed to each
			 participant prior to paying the entry fee. In addition, all prizes, including
			 amenities such as airfare, meals and lodging, will also be fully disclosed to
			 each participant prior to paying the entry fee.
(5) Races that are the subject of a
			 handicapping contest must be races on which the class 1 racing association is
			 authorized to conduct parimutuel wagering.
(6) The officers and employees of the class 1
			 racing association operating a handicapping contest, and their immediate
			 families are prohibited from participating in any handicapping contest unless
			 approved under this subsection. Commissioners and employees of the commission
			 are also prohibited from participating in any handicapping contest in
			 Washington. Employees of the class 1 racing association may participate in a
			 handicapping contest, provided it is for promotional purposes only and are not
			 eligible for any prizes awarded. Participation must be approved by the
			 executive secretary.
(7) The class
			 1 racing association will provide the commission a report on every handicapping
			 contest including a record of all entry fees collected, the number of
			 participants for each contest, the amount the class 1 racing association paid
			 in prizes, and the name and address of each winning participant.
(8) Any violation of this section will be
			 referred to the executive secretary. The executive secretary will have sole
			 authority to ensure compliance with this rule, conduct hearings on violations,
			 and determine penalties. Any decision of the executive secretary may be
			 challenged as provided in WAC
			 260-08-675.
Statutory Authority:
				  RCW
				   67.16.020. 12-03-074, §
										260-48-960, filed 1/13/12,
				  effective 2/13/12. Statutory Authority:
				  RCW
				   67.16.020 and
				  67.16.040. 08-17-049, §
										260-48-960, filed 8/14/08,
				  effective 9/14/08; 05-19-016, §
										260-48-960, filed 9/9/05,
				  effective 10/10/05.