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Panel considers bill to allow simulcast horse-race betting statewide
Summary
Senate Bill 147 would remove an old restriction limiting simulcast horse-race wagering to specific, historic track locations and allow simulcast sales at any authorized gaming facility; sponsor said the change modernizes an archaic statute.
Senate Bill 147, introduced by Sen. Sharon Lang, would remove a grandfather clause in existing law that limits simulcast horse-race wagering to a small set of specific licensed locations that historically hosted horse tracks, and would instead permit simulcast betting at authorized gaming facilities statewide.
"We had Hinsdale, Rockingham, Seabrook, and, Beaumont, with the 4 locations we didn't go bet on horse racing," Lang told the committee. "This bill just removes that historic grandfather clause and just says everybody can sell simulcast horse racing."
Lang said the statute dates from when the state had commercial horse tracks and that the current list is anachronistic; the bill would update statutory language to allow simulcast operations at any authorized gaming site. The Lottery Commission and sponsors discussed the bill without recorded opposition during the hearing.
In executive session the committee voted to advance SB 147 (motion recorded and seconded in the transcript) and place it on the consent calendar; the motion carried by voice vote (tally not specified in the record).
Why it matters: The bill modernizes outdated statutory language and could expand where simulcast horse-race wagering is available, affecting existing gaming venues and their customers. The committee recorded no public opposition during the hearing and moved the bill forward.
What remains: If enacted, the Lottery Commission would implement rule changes to allow simulcast at additional authorized locations; the bill proceeds through the legislative process.
