Powers of the Commission
Purposes
The purpose of the Texas Racing Act is to:
"provide for the strict regulation of horse racing and greyhound racing
and the control of pari-mutuel wagering in connection with that racing. (Act, §1.02)
Generally, the Texas Racing Commission's responsibilities are:
"[to] regulate and supervise every race meeting in this state involving
wagering on the result of greyhound or horse racing. All persons and things
relating to the operation of those meetings are subject to regulation and supervision
by the commission. The commission shall adopt rules for conducting greyhound
or horse racing in this state involving wagering and shall adopt other rules
to administer this Act that are consistent with this Act." (Act,
§3.02)
Racetracks
The Commission is authorized to issue up to three licenses for Class
1 horse racetracks, which must be located in counties with a population of at
least 750,000 or a county adjacent to such a county. (Act,
§6.02) The counties with a population of at least 750,000 are Harris
County, Bexar County, Dallas County, and Tarrant County.
The Commission is also authorized to issue Class 2, 3, and 4 horse racetrack
licenses. None of these types of licenses are restricted as to location or number,
although Class 3 and 4 racetracks must be owned/operated by county fairs or
nonprofit corporations.
The Commission is authorized to issue up to three licenses for greyhound
racetracks, which must be located in counties with a population of at least
190,000 that include part of an island that borders the Gulf of Mexico. (Act,
§6.04(c), §6.14(c)) The
counties that meet the requirements for a greyhound racetrack are Cameron County,
Nueces County, and Galveston County.
Regulation of Racing
The Commission issues licenses to all people who participate in pari-mutuel
racing, whether as a jockey, owner, trainer, or concession worker. (Act,
§7.02) In addition, the Commission hires officials who oversee all
live pari-mutuel racing conducted in this state and regulates all simulcast
races offered for wagering in this state. (Act,
§3.07, §11.011)
Enforcement
The Commission is authorized to deny, suspend, and revoke licenses, as
well as to impose administrative penalties against its licensees of up to $10,000
for each violation of the Commission's rules. (Act,
§6.06, §7.04, §15.03)
In addition, the stewards/racing judges supervising racing at each racetrack
are authorized to suspend licenses for up to one year and to assess fines of
up to $5,000. (Act, §3.07) The
stewards/racing judges may call hearings for infractions on their motion or
on referral from the Executive Director or the Commission's investigators.
The Commission, the stewards/racing judges, and the Executive Director may
also order any person, not just licensees, ejected or excluded from pari-mutuel
racetracks. (Act, §13.01)
Monitoring
and Complaints
The Commission staff in Austin monitors the activities of racetrack licensees
through periodic inspections. By using information provided by Commission staff
at the racetracks, the press, the public, and other licensees, the Commission
is better able to ensure all racing licensees conduct their business in accordance
with the applicable law and rules.
Consumer complaints are accepted by the Commission and may be filed anonymously.
Click here to learn more about filing a complaint
with the Commission.
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