HB516 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kelvin LawrenceRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to the Town of White Hall in Lowndes County; to allow the authorization of pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast past events and live horse and dog races under certain conditions.

Summary

The bill would let the Town of White Hall authorize a charitable bingo operator to run pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast past events and live horse and greyhound races under defined conditions.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the town council to permit a licensed licensee to conduct pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast past events and live races. The council must adopt rules specifying how simulcast programming from out-of-state tracks can be shown and wagered on, while ensuring wagering follows its pari-mutuel rules and federal requirements. Revenue for the council would be limited to specific horse and greyhound wagering fees, and the act allows cross-state wagering only if allowed by federal law and contracts. It also states off-track betting outside the licensed facility is not authorized and sets an effective date.

Who It Affects

• The Town of White Hall’s Council and the licensee (a charitable bingo operator) who may conduct and regulate pari-mutuel wagering under the act and must follow council rules, including revenue limits.
• Bettors and racetrack operators involved in simulcast wagering (including cross-state wagering) who may participate under council rules and federal/contractual constraints, with pooling rules potentially including bets from outside the state.

Key Provisions

• Definitions of Council, Licensee, and Simulcast used in the act.
• The council may authorize the licensee to conduct pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast past events and live horse and greyhound races.
• The council must adopt rules outlining conditions for transmitting simulcast programming from out-of-state tracks and the wagering process, including exceptions to satisfy federal law.
• The council’s revenue from simulcast wagering is limited to the horse wagering fee and the greyhound wagering fee collected from simulcast events.
• Cross-state simulcast wagering is allowed only if permitted by federal law and contractual arrangements with the originating racetrack; wagering pools may be restricted to facility bets or include out-of-state bets, administered under council rules.
• The act does not authorize off-track betting outside the licensed facility, and other state laws remain in effect.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Lowndes County; pari-mutuel wagering; authorized for simulcast past events and live horse and dog races.