Section 230.215 - [Effective Until 7/1/2024] Legislative purpose for chapter - Racing commission's power to exclude undesirables - Jurisdiction over sports wagering(1)(a) It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, in furtherance of its responsibility to foster and to encourage legitimate occupations and industries in the Commonwealth and to promote and to conserve the public health, safety, and welfare, and it is hereby declared the intent of the Commonwealth to foster and to encourage the horse breeding industry within the Commonwealth and to encourage the improvement of the breeds of horses.(b) Further, it is the policy and intent of the Commonwealth to foster and to encourage the business of legitimate horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering thereon in the Commonwealth on the highest possible plane. Further, it hereby is declared the policy and intent of the Commonwealth that all racing not licensed under this chapter is a public nuisance and may be enjoined as such.(c) Further, it is hereby declared the policy and intent of the Commonwealth that the conduct of horse racing, or the participation in any way in horse racing, or the entrance to or presence where horse racing is conducted, is a privilege and not a personal right; and that this privilege may be granted or denied by the racing commission or its duly approved representatives acting in its behalf.(d) Further, it is hereby declared the policy and intent of the Commonwealth that citizens shall be allowed to enjoy wagering on sporting events in a controlled environment that protects the citizens from cheating and fraud, and that such wagering shall be best controlled and overseen by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, which has demonstrated a long and successful history of regulating wagering.(2)(a) It is hereby declared the purpose and intent of this chapter in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, to vest in the racing commission forceful control of horse racing in the Commonwealth with plenary power to promulgate administrative regulations prescribing conditions under which all legitimate horse racing and wagering thereon is conducted in the Commonwealth so as to encourage the improvement of the breeds of horses in the Commonwealth, to regulate and maintain horse racing at horse race meetings in the Commonwealth of the highest quality and free of any corrupt, incompetent, dishonest, or unprincipled horse racing practices, and to regulate and maintain horse racing at race meetings in the Commonwealth so as to dissipate any cloud of association with the undesirable and maintain the appearance as well as the fact of complete honesty and integrity of horse racing in the Commonwealth.(b) In addition, it is hereby declared the purpose and intent of this chapter to vest in the racing commission exclusive jurisdiction over sports wagering in the Commonwealth, with plenary power to promulgate administrative regulations prescribing conditions under which all sports wagering is to be conducted.(c) In addition to the general powers and duties vested in the racing commission by this chapter, it is the intent hereby to vest in the racing commission the power to eject or exclude from association grounds or any part thereof any person, licensed or unlicensed, whose conduct or reputation is such that his or her presence on association grounds may, in the opinion of the racing commission, reflect on the honesty and integrity of horse racing or interfere with either the orderly conduct of horse racing or the orderly conduct of sports wagering.Amended by 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 147,§ 6, eff. 6/28/2023.Effective:7/15/2010
Amended 2010, Ky. Acts ch. 24, sec. 444, effective7/15/2010. -- Amended 2004, Ky. Acts ch. 191, sec. 44, effective 7/13/2004. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 109, sec. 12, effective 3/30/1992. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 296, sec. 3, effective 7/15/1986. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 1; and ch. 403, sec. 2. -- Created 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 156, sec. 1.This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.