2016 -- S 2894

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LC005677

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO SPORTS, RACING, AND ATHLETICS -- SIMULCAST PROGRAMS FROM

LICENSED BETTING FACILITIES

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, and Goodwin

     Date Introduced: April 07, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 41-11-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 41-11 entitled "Simulcast

Programs from Licensed Betting Facilities" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     41-11-2. Simulcast. -- (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 41-4-2 as to location of

programs only, a licensee may enter into a contract with any licensed racing association to

simulcast programs from the facility on certain racing days.

      (b) A licensee may simulcast programs a maximum of two hundred seventy (270) days

in a state fiscal calendar year for all or a portion of the days and times that video lottery games are

offered at the licensee's facility.

      (c) A licensee shall obtain a permit from the division of racing and athletics.

      (d) A licensee may accept pari-mutuel wagering on the simulcast at the licensed facility

and not at any other location.

      (e) (1) When the program is a dog race, the licensee shall compensate the owners of dog

kennels who are under contract with the licensee at the time of the program. The compensation

shall be equal to that percentage of the pari-mutuel handle paid to the owners pursuant to the

contract then existing between the licensee and the owners.

      (2) A licensee licensed pursuant to chapter 7 of title 41 who receives simulcasts of dog

races intrastate shall compensate the owners of dog kennels who are under contract with a

licensee licensed pursuant to chapter 3.1 of title 41 at the time of the simulcast an amount equal to

the percentage of the pari-mutuel handle being paid to the dog kennel owners pursuant to their

contracts with the licensee licensed pursuant to chapter 3.1 of title 41.

     (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of any general law, public law, or local ordinance to

the contrary, including without limitation the provisions contained in §§5-23-2(d), 25-3-2 and 25-

3-3, a licensee shall not be required to provide employees time and a half pay for the work

performed during Sundays and holidays, if the majority of such employees' work relates to

facilitating the simulcasting of programs and/or to facilitating the pari-mutuel wagering on

simulcast programs.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO SPORTS, RACING, AND ATHLETICS -- SIMULCAST PROGRAMS FROM

LICENSED BETTING FACILITIES

***

     This act would authorize holders of certain gaming licenses to simulcast programs for all

or a portion of the days and times that video lottery games are offered at the licensee's facility.

This act would also provide that licensees would not be required to pay employees time and a half

pay for work during Sundays and holidays, if the majority of such employees' work related to

facilitating the simulcasting of programs and/or to facilitating the pari-mutuel wagering on

simulcast programs.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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