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Bill to expand eligibility for simulcast horse wagering prompts objections from Seabrook operator
Summary
Senate Bill 147 would broaden which licensed facilities can offer pari‑mutuel simulcast horse wagering; Seabrook’s operator urged the committee to preserve simulcast rights tied to historical live‑racing locations, citing investment and unionized jobs.
Senate Bill 147 — intended to expand which charitable‑casino or gaming facilities may accept pari‑mutuel simulcast wagers — prompted testimony from a Seabrook operator that the committee should preserve simulcast rights tied to locations with a historical live‑racing presence.
Sen. Tim Lang said the bill is permissive: it would allow charitable‑casino operators that are licensed as game‑of‑chance facilities to apply for simulcast pari‑mutuel authorization even at locations without any historical track. “We currently have a grandfathered clause when it comes to simulcast horse racing... those 4 locations were grandfathered... Since then, 2 of those have gone out of business. So there are only 2 left that are eligible,” Lang said.
Mike Cataldo, vice president of The Brook casino in Seabrook, testified against SB 147. Cataldo said The Brook is one of the legacy facilities that maintained simulcast licensing through continuous operation and made substantial investments — hardware, software, facility upgrades and staff training — to sustain the declining simulcast business. He said simulcast wagering at The Brook has declined over recent years and the business is sensitive to dilution. “Allowing other licenses in the state would be giving our long term legislatively protected rights to groups and organizations with no connection to the statute’s history,” Cataldo said. He added that many simulcast staff are long‑tenured and unionized, and that shifting rights would imperil jobs and employee retirement assets tied to the Brook’s employee‑ownership plan.
Cataldo also said the Brook invested in geofencing and online capabilities and that unauthorized offshore platforms present competition. The Lottery director told the committee the regulator reconciles wagering monthly with operators and would use licensing and audit authority to enforce compliance for authorized simulcast operators.
No committee vote was taken. The Brook asked the committee not to pass SB 147 and urged continued protection of legacy simulcast rights tied to historical track locations.
