[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6550432,"mediaKeyId","5392247-ec916352e75ee4290992d4bf7e6c978c","parentId",5392247,"title","Committee discusses exploring sports betting for 2026 but says process could take more than a year","audioSeconds",598,"startMs",3439000,"endMs",4037000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5392247-ec916352e75ee4290992d4bf7e6c978c&start=3439&end=4037","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5392247-ec916352e75ee4290992d4bf7e6c978c/thumbnail_3439000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550432/Pocomoke-City/Worcester-County/Maryland/Committee-discusses-exploring-sports-betting-for-2026-but-says-process-could-take-more-than-a-year","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550432-365a2499a44cbab6ce30815e5e9cacec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159095&Signature=DrRJ-40yGAZ5t6I9vjnz3xaaugFqmwI5zIKgsdAz8fCTcUYnLCc-UHXTlPazBkpdgHk2iYSFzVJNIaD-1up2KTHJxlwvtn5wIdtXB8-U5X5tYR16IoONZ-QdcsE-1nfPsVdSmohFccad68ozsrl0AUXOpWbvjyWeC1gKRgIm06xc3XBdFoa0khk1aMbzdSKAO-X8v~exNM0NSwQsLR9ymbXFMVyT14XKd25pCd8VUezn1eWAxjl-3FaGzzGZKF~dHDkFhwpgUKSv4Eszlisq5nCjUGJMa2H4fp4A~VulPCtG3AXf7VpK~wb2oIh0twIzKPoXaHHBupgTFJgaSODUdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pocomoke City, MD","date","2025-07-15T22:01:58Z","article","POCOMOKE CITY — Fair Committee members explored whether to pursue sports betting at future race events but described the process as lengthy and potentially impractical for the committee’s current scale of racing.

When the agenda item was raised, committee members noted that licensing and regulatory compliance would take substantial time. \"It's gonna take a year plus,\" one member said. Several members agreed that for a program to be worthwhile the committee would need more than a single race day each year; multiple races and a committed schedule would be necessary to build participants and revenue.

Speakers discussed how betting revenues and unclaimed wagering tickets can fund grants and purses, but they cautioned that the committee currently runs few races and would need to assess costs, staffing and volunteer capacity before pursuing any betting licenses. \"I don't wanna be out there every weekend,\" one member said when asked about staffing implications.

Why it matters: Sports betting would change the regulatory and operational requirements for the fair’s racing program and could provide additional revenue; it would also require a multi-step process for permissions and likely collaboration with state regulators or gaming authorities.

Next steps: Committee members agreed to gather more information about licensing requirements, costs and minimum race frequency needed to make wagering viable, and to bring that information back to a future meeting for a decision.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pocomoke City fair board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members briefly discussed the possibility of adding sports betting at races in 2026, but members said approvals, licensing and operational setup would likely require a year or more of work and may not be cost-effective for only one race day.","taxTitle","Pocomoke City, Worcester County, Maryland","taxId",53953,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550435,"Fair Committee debates barn rules, track dust fines and water-truck liability",520,2234000,2754000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5392247-ec916352e75ee4290992d4bf7e6c978c&start=2234&end=2754","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5392247-ec916352e75ee4290992d4bf7e6c978c/thumbnail_2234000.jpg","/articles/6550435/Pocomoke-City/Worcester-County/Maryland/Fair-Committee-debates-barn-rules-track-dust-fines-and-water-truck-liability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550435-531f54d180c57dd19b5101433f45fd8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159095&Signature=C0TbJafifAdBVF65QZoO1gdXI6zxRD2Oe1k9TpYsAZGk-IFcdQro7QieeoTgb-7VhdpS75vMCE3m2eAAITX5MNqem0BQjNdPMjybS9f2dcrOtpyJJC1ly9M2Kts8WJf-Ooc-36oStXaJysGe-kMSZamkq-kwWl0OwCuZnBuSzFwhmslTJo2iOVf-wGxmUuIUDsYzeiX1jNlH71KZx-pG55GZjsqRsVFoi65YxsN-r-5A~wZ-ogErg60U2~8O8EW-5ZJXQzMVu9TeWS6rbjlhy0KEVhW4EgZja3xtK8CaB8InfGSEV3s0l-hFJtI3jX3FwvrX-IRsQQk2L4BRBMnecQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","POCOMOKE CITY — Fair Committee members pressed for clearer barn rules, enforcement mechanisms for track dust and a plan to reduce recurring maintenance costs at the horse barn and track.

Committee members described recurring dust problems at the harness track and pushed to include specific duties and penalties in lease agreements with barn tenants. \"If you go out there to the track, that you have to water that track prior to you going out on the track. If not, then there's gonna be a fine,\" Sarah, a Fair Committee member, said. Several speakers said the fine language and any lease amendments would need review by the city attorney and final approval from the Pocomoke City Council.

The group described the recommended track maintenance practice known as \"putting it to bed\": wet the surface in at least two passes and then drag the track to fill footprints. Committee members said more frequent track watering and dragging is needed than the current practice. \"If you properly put it to bed ... they should wet it, make at least 2 laps with the water, and then you drag it,\" a committee speaker said.

Committee members discussed enforcement challenges, including how to identify which tenant caused a violation and whether to install cameras. Sarah said she did not feel cameras were necessary but noted that enforcement without evidence could be a \"he said, she said\" problem. The committee asked staff to consider lease amendments that would allow fines to be assessed to tenants and to include administrative fees if the city is required to pay a state fine and recover costs.

The meeting also addressed equipment and liability. Committee members asked who owns and maintains the city water truck used to wet the track; staff said the truck is city property. \"The city does,\" a speaker said when asked who owns the water truck. Members raised concerns about liability if someone is injured while operating a city vehicle on city property and urged secure storage of keys. Staff agreed to address keys and secure access.

Several committee members called for clearer tenant obligations and a timetable for improvements to the barn to attract more renters and reduce taxpayer burden. Committee members noted there are 21 stalls in the barn and that only two or three were rented for much of the past year. They recommended producing a prioritized list of improvements and seeking bids or donations for materials and labor.

Why it matters: Track dust can prompt state or federal environmental complaints and create public-health and nuisance issues. Ambiguous lease language and unsecured city equipment raise potential liability and enforcement problems that could affect insurance coverage and the committee’s ability to operate events.

Details and next steps: Committee members were advised to draft proposed lease-rule changes and fines for review by the city attorney; staff will check whether fines and lease amendments can be enacted administratively or require council approval. Staff will also confirm which structures are insured by the city and which are insured by Fair Committee Inc., and will identify options for securing keys to city equipment.","Committee members and city staff discussed proposed lease amendments to require tenants to control track dust, possible fines for noncompliance, the process to amend leases and who is liable if city equipment is used on fairgrounds.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550441,"Pocomoke City discussion focuses on fairgrounds repairs, permits and grant accounting",4126,176000,4302000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5392247-ec916352e75ee4290992d4bf7e6c978c&start=176&end=4302","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5392247-ec916352e75ee4290992d4bf7e6c978c/thumbnail_176000.jpg","/articles/6550441/Pocomoke-City/Worcester-County/Maryland/Pocomoke-City-discussion-focuses-on-fairgrounds-repairs-permits-and-grant-accounting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550441-a50be721277a7fd7dc39f96ae7742fb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159095&Signature=O067GxVYm7d2w0LMtSw7XEOfCc9g6jHb-YmGPpY9dPVFxArOFWTGpaSC-ZngpLgooVeooSUBQeovnGLglMyioU0aXSfaFPz5On7Q3GvOXv4JdnmQwzotVUf1iHcefsImNux3Mj-GdwRnYSTs8rkPVglMG~PdElrZulWEP5rZDAAJfTy2PoOOcXlVeC~6CEWqbNVqXHS4sCv-b1RZYnrPL26bVDWptR6Wu168~TtjFjKgXqkTNgu5utl6cXT7ikYPv9L06cvCh~ySsRtKlhrq8fXUNw4sSB7cqYNKvB7s1Xg739fQlR-X3f0x-qiU6J8k1CnImcXFE6dx6rWSAiwzNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","POCOMOKE CITY — Members of the Fair Committee and city staff spent a majority of a recent meeting sorting responsibilities for repairs, confirming permitting status for the summer fair and pressing for clearer accounting of donations and state grant money.

The most immediate items were grandstand and fencing repairs and whether those responsibilities fall to the Fair Committee Inc. or the city. Mike White, identified in the meeting as code enforcement, confirmed that existing permanent facilities attached to the building are city property; Fair Committee members said the committee is responsible for the building itself and any attachments. \"The fair committee is responsible for the building, anything attached to the building,\" said Sarah, a Fair Committee member. Committee members said proposed new permanent fencing would be the Fair Committee’s choice and responsibility if they decide to install it.

Committee members also briefed the group on wetland mitigation work and other site cleanup. \"The piles were okay to be knocked down, and they were done,\" Sarah said, reporting that photos were submitted and the work was approved.

On permits for the fair, Sarah said she submitted a late application for an alcohol permit and that the city had not yet received the mayor’s supporting letter in time to meet the liquor board's 30-day policy. \"That permit probably is not going to get approved, I would guess,\" she said. Committee members were told the fair will receive the city trash truck but not trash-collection staff because of city staffing shortages; the committee will need to staff trash collection at events.

Members pressed for clearer handling of donations and grant flows. Sarah said checks intended for the fair are being left with the committee and asked that donors either reissue checks payable to Pocomoke City or provide paperwork confirming funds will flow to the city. \"It needs to be made out to whoever it needs to go to,\" she said, citing concerns about maintaining a paper trail for the state grant.

Committee members discussed finances for the track and racing program. Two contractor quotes for stone dust and grading were presented: Reynolds Excavating quoted a package for $15,000 (about $11,000 for stone dust plus $4,000 for grading), while another vendor's quote was higher. Committee members said the state grant historically covers the stone dust but, based on prior years, may only cover part of the cost; Sarah and others noted prior invoices exceeding $15,000 and differing recollections of past grant amounts.

Several committee members urged monthly profit-and-loss reporting so the committee can track whether the fair and racing operate at a net loss and identify sponsorship or rental strategies to close any gap. \"I would like to know what exactly we're doing, dollar wise, what we're down and how we can alleviate some of that pressure,\" Sarah said.

Committee members asked staff to confirm which fairground structures are listed on the city's insurance versus the Fair Committee Inc.'s policy, and city staff agreed to check. The committee also requested confirmation from city staff about which items city insurance already covers to avoid duplicate coverage.

Why it matters: Pocomoke’s summer fair and at least one high-attendance event are weeks away; the committee and city officials said they need clearer lines of financial and maintenance responsibility to avoid last-minute problems and to ensure compliance with state regulatory requirements.

Details and next steps: Staff agreed to follow up on the liquor-permit status, provide records showing what is on the city insurance policy, confirm which structures are the Fair Committee’s responsibility, and circulate more-detail financial reports to the committee so they can pursue sponsorships and other revenue if needed.

The meeting did not include any formal votes on these items; committee members said some matters (lease amendments, fines, insurance assignment) will require legal review by the city attorney and formal approval by Pocomoke City Council before changes can take effect.","Fair Committee members and city staff discussed where responsibility lies for grandstand and fencing repairs, the status of permits for the upcoming fair, handling of donations and a state grant that may only cover stone dust at the race track.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee discusses exploring sports betting for 2026 but says process could take more than a year

Fair Committee debates barn rules, track dust fines and water-truck liability

Pocomoke City discussion focuses on fairgrounds repairs, permits and grant accounting