Penalties - Horse Racing - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 19660

This law says that if someone wants to organize a horse racing event where people can bet on the race, they must first get a special license. If they don't have this license and go ahead with the event and betting, it's considered a misdemeanor crime.

Any person who, without first having procured a license under Article 4 of this chapter, directly or indirectly holds or conducts any meeting where there is horse racing and betting on its results by the parimutuel method of wagering, or otherwise, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

horse racing license requirement parimutuel betting

Section § 19661

If someone breaks a rule in this chapter and there's no specific punishment outlined, it's considered a misdemeanor. Additionally, the board has the authority to fine up to $100,000 for any violations unless a penalty is otherwise specified.

(a) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter for which a penalty is not herein expressly provided, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b) Unless otherwise expressly provided, the board may impose a monetary penalty of not more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.

misdemeanor monetary penalty monetary fine

Section § 19662

In California, it's illegal for someone to bet on horse races by any method other than a licensed parimutuel system. If you do this, you can face penalties as outlined in the Penal Code.

Any person who bets upon the results of a horse race except by a parimutuel method of wagering conducted by a person licensed under Article 4 of this chapter is punishable as provided in the Penal Code.

horse race betting parimutuel wagering licensed betting

Section § 19663

This law makes it illegal for jockeys or their representatives to force the state or related agencies to pay into funds they are not legally required to contribute to during horse racing events.

It is unlawful for an individual performing services as a jockey, or any person representing or purporting to represent such individual, to compel or attempt to compel the State, while conducting horse racing, either directly itself or through a state agency or state instrumentality, to pay money into any fund to which it has no legal obligation to contribute.

jockey services unlawful payment horse racing

Section § 19664

If you want to sell or offer horse race predictions in California, you must inform the California Horse Racing Board of your predictions at least three hours before the race using their forms. You can't advertise that you've notified the board, or use its name to promote your services. 'Advertise' covers a wide range of methods like newspapers, magazines, and signs. Certain publications, like daily newspapers and racing magazines, are exempt. Breaking this rule is a misdemeanor.

It is unlawful for any person, for the purpose of selling or offering to sell predictions on horse races, to advertise that he has predicted the outcome of any horse race which has been run in this state, unless such person has notified in writing the California Horse Racing Board, at any of its offices, of his predictions at least three hours prior to the race involved on forms prescribed by the board. No person shall advertise the fact that he has notified the board or use the name of the board in any way whatsoever to promote the activities described in this section.

For the purposes of this section the term “advertise” includes the use of a newspaper, magazine or other publication, book notice, circular, pamphlet, letter, handbill, tip sheet, poster, bill, sign, placard, card, label, tag, window display, store sign, radio or television announcement, or any other means or methods now or hereafter employed to bring to the attention of the public information concerning the outcome of horse races.

Nothing herein contained shall apply to any daily newspaper of general circulation which is regularly entered in the United States mail, or any other daily publication carrying complete past performances of horses entered in races, or to any regularly published magazine or periodical devoted to racing news, which magazine or periodical has been published for at least two years.

Violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

horse race predictions advertising restrictions California Horse Racing Board

Section § 19665

This law requires the board to create rules to protect horses, their owners, and the public during horse sales, including auctions, specifically for racehorses or those used for breeding racehorses. These sales must follow regulations related to the use of medications or drugs on the horses.

The board shall establish such rules and regulations for horse sales or horse auction sales of racehorses or breeding stock that is used in the production of racehorses which are held or conducted on the premises of any racing association under the jurisdiction of the board as are reasonably necessary to provide the horses, owners, and general public with adequate protection. Such rules and regulations shall provide for regulation of the medication or drugging of racehorses sold at horse sales or horse auction sales as provided in this section.

horse sales regulations racehorse auctions racing association premises

Section § 19666

This law makes it illegal for anyone to change, fake, or even try to change or fake a parimutuel betting ticket.

A person shall not alter or counterfeit, or attempt to alter or counterfeit, any parimutuel ticket.

alter counterfeit parimutuel ticket

Section § 19667

This law makes it illegal for anyone to intentionally hold onto a parimutuel ticket that has been changed, faked, or tampered with.

No person shall knowingly have in his possession any altered, forged, or counterfeit parimutuel ticket.

parimutuel ticket altered ticket forged ticket

Section § 19668

This law makes it illegal to race a horse that is less than two years old if people are betting on the race. If someone breaks this rule, they can be charged with a misdemeanor, and the authority in charge can suspend their license for up to a year.

(a) On and after July 1, 1995, it shall be unlawful for any person to enter or accept the entry of a horse in a race upon which there is parimutuel wagering until two years after the horse’s foaling date.

(b) Every person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. The board may suspend the license of any person who violates this section for a period of not more than one year.

horse racing parimutuel wagering foaling date