North Carolina SB 471: Horse Race Wagering Modifications.

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 471

Short Title: Horse Race Wagering Modifications. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Moffitt, Hanig, and McInnis (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
March 25, 2025
*S471-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING AND HORSE RACING. 2
Whereas, the General Assembly finds that horse racing has the potential to create 3
thousands of jobs for North Carolina citizens in agricultural, retail, hospitality, tourism, 4
veterinarian, and other sectors of the economy; and 5
Whereas, authorized and regulated pari-mutuel wagering will help foster and grow 6
the North Carolina equine industry; and 7
Whereas, experiences in other states have demonstrated the benefits of regulated 8
horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering; Now, therefore, 9
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 10
SECTION 1. Article 10 of Chapter 18C of the General Statutes reads as rewritten: 11
"Article 10. 12
"Pari-Mutuel Wagering. 13
"§ 18C-1000. (Reserved) 14
"§ 18C-1001. Definitions. 15
As used in this Article, the following definitions apply: 16
(1) Adjusted gross revenue. – The total of all moneys paid to a pari-mutuel 17
wagering licensee as pari-mutuel wagers minus federal excise taxes and minus 18
the total amount paid out to winning bettors, including the cash value of 19
merchandise awarded as winnings and the cash value of any incentives 20
provided to bettors. 21
(1a) Advance deposit account wager or advance deposit account wagering. – A 22
pari-mutuel wager on horse races in accordance with 15 U.S.C. Chapter 57 23
and the rules adopted by the Commission.A form of pari-mutuel wagering 24
made in accordance with 15 U.S.C. §§ 3001-3007 and exclusively on an ADW 25
wagering platform, whereby an individual may establish an account with a 26
person or entity licensed by the Commission and may place a pari-mutuel 27
wager through that account as permitted by law. 28
(2) ADW licensee. – Any person or entity licensed by the Commission in 29
accordance with this Article.Any person, including a legacy track operator and 30
a startup track operator, licensed by the Commission to conduct advance 31
deposit account wagering and accept deposits and wagers, issue a receipt or 32
other confirmation to the account holder evidencing such deposits and wagers, 33
and transfer credits and debits to and from accounts; provided, however, a 34
person with an ADW license that is not also a legacy track operator or a startup 35

General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 Senate Bill 471-First Edition
track operator shall not offer pari-mutuel wagering on pari-mutuel wagering 1
devices or through simulcasting. 2
(2a) ADW wagering platform. – A website, mobile application, or other interactive 3
platform accessible via the internet, mobile, wireless, or similar 4
communication technology that a bettor registered to engage in advance 5
deposit account wagering may use to place pari-mutuel wagers through an 6
advance deposit account. A pari-mutuel wagering device shall not be 7
considered an ADW wagering platform or means to engage in advance deposit 8
account wagering. 9
(2b) Affiliate. – A person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or 10
is under common control with another person. Each member of a group of 11
persons acting in concert shall be deemed an affiliate of the group. 12
(2c) Alcoholic beverage. – Defined in G.S. 18B-101. 13
(2d) Bettor. – A person who is physically present in this State when placing a wager 14
with a pari-mutuel wagering licensee via an advance deposit wagering 15
account, kiosk, pari-mutuel wagering device, or window, and is eligible to and 16
not prohibited from placing a pari-mutuel wager under this Article. 17
(2e) Geofencing. – Technology approved by the Commission and utilized by a 18
pari-mutuel wagering licensee to verify a registered player's geolocation prior 19
to the time the registered player is placing a pari-mutuel wager. 20
(2f) Handle. – The total amount of wagers made in this State on a single horse 21
race. 22
(2g) Horse race. – A race between horses, mounted by a jockey or driven by a 23
driver, occurring at a horse track that is sanctioned, licensed, or both. 24
(2h) Horse track. – A facility that is sanctioned or licensed to host, provide, or 25
otherwise offer horse races. 26
(2i) Interstate wagering. – Pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast horse races from a 27
horse track located in another state or foreign country. 28
(2j) Key person. – An officer or director of a licensee or applicant for licensure 29
who is directly involved in the operation, management, or control of 30
pari-mutuel wagering authorized under this Article, or who exercises 31
substantial influence or control over the pari-mutuel wagering activities. 32
(2k) Kiosk. – An electronic self-betting device that allows a bettor to place a 33
pari-mutuel wager on a future, live horse race without a