Horse Racing in Kent County

Del. Code tit. 28, ch. 4
in effect

Del. Code tit. 28, § 401 Authority for horse racing in Kent County on five-eighths mile track.

Horse racing for stake, purse or reward at and upon a race track of no less than 5 / 8 of a mile in circumference may be conducted in Kent County subject to this chapter. Such horse racing may be conducted during either daylight or evening hours, or both.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 402 License as required.

Any person desiring to conduct horse racing for any stake, purse or reward in Kent County during any calendar year shall first obtain a license to do so from the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 403 Application; inspections and examinations; rejection; award of dates and maximum racing days.

(a) Any person desiring to conduct a horse racing meet within Kent County during any calendar year shall file an application with the Secretary of the Commission on or before a date to be fixed by the Commission. The application shall specify the days on which such racing is desired to be conducted and shall be in such form and supply such data and information, including a blueprint of the track and specifications of its surface and blueprints and specifications of buildings and grandstand on the land where the meet is to be conducted as the Commission prescribes; provided, however, that it shall not be necessary for the applicant to submit blueprints and specifications with the application if the race meet for which a license is requested to be conducted is at a track for which the Commission granted a license the preceding year. (b) The blueprints and specifications shall be subject to the approval of the Commission, which, at the expense of the applicant, may order such engineering examination thereof as the Commission deems necessary. The erection and construction of the track, grandstand and buildings of any applicant for a license to conduct horse racing under this chapter shall be subject to the inspection of the Commission, which may order such engineering examination as the Commission deems necessary at the expense of the applicant and may employ such inspectors as the Commission considers necessary for that purpose. (c) The Commission may reject any application for a license for any cause which it deems sufficient, and the action of the Commission shall be final. (d) The Commission shall, on or before January 15 of each year, award all dates for horse racing in Kent County within the current year, but the dates so awarded shall not exceed 55 days in the aggregate. The decision of the Commission on the award of all dates shall be final. (e) No more than 2 horse racing meets shall be held in Kent County in any 1 year. (f) The Commission may meet subsequently to January 15 of each year and award dates for horse racing within the limits provided in this section on application submitted to it, provided that the days so awarded in no way conflict with any other provision of this chapter. (g) No license to conduct horse racing under the provisions of this section shall be granted except to a private stock corporation formed and existing under the laws of this State for the purpose of conducting horse racing and businesses incident thereto in compliance with the following conditions and requirements: (1) Before a license shall be issued under the provisions of this chapter, the applicant shall file with the Commission, in addition to other requirements of this chapter, the names, addresses and the terms of office of its directors and officers and at such other time or times thereafter as they may be changed, the names and addresses of such directors and officers, a copy of the certificate of incorporation duly certified by the Secretary of the State and a copy of its bylaws. Such applicant shall file with the Commission a copy of any amendment to its certificate of incorporation, duly certified as aforesaid, within 10 days after the effective date of any such amendment; (2) The board of directors of the applicant shall not be less than 5 in number; (3) The applicant shall have no other office except in this State; (4) Every applicant for a license shall file with the Commission, at the time of application for a license, a statement of its resources and liabilities. The Commission shall have access at all times to the books, records and accounts of the licensee; (5) No license shall be issued unless a majority of the board of directors and officers shall be bona fide residents of this State.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 404 Application and license fees.

(a) Any person, upon applying to the Commission for a license to conduct a horse racing meet pursuant to this chapter during any calendar year, shall, at the time of making the application, pay to the Secretary of the Department of Finance a fee of $500. (b) Any person who is granted a license by the Commission to conduct a horse racing meet pursuant to this chapter during any calendar year shall, at the time the license is granted, pay to the Secretary of the Department of Finance an additional fee of $250.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 405 Issuance.

Upon the award of dates to any applicant, the Commission shall issue a license for the holding of the meet or meets during the dates awarded to the applicant. The license shall be subject to all rights, regulations and conditions from time to time prescribed by the Commission.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 406 Suspension or revocation; appeal.

(a) Any license issued by the Commission shall be subject to suspension or revocation by the Commission for any cause whatsoever which the Commission deems sufficient. If any license is suspended or revoked, the Commission shall state publicly its reasons for so doing and cause an entry of the reasons to be made on the minute book of the Commission, and its action shall be final. (b) The propriety of such action shall be subject to review upon questions of law only by the Superior Court of Kent County. The action of the Commission shall stand unless and until reversed by the Court.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 407 Rules of Jockey Club and of National Steeplechase and Hunt Association.

Repealed by 63 Del. Laws, c. 143, § 15, eff. July 13, 1981.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 408 Inspection of racing premises prior to meet.

Not less than 5 days prior to the opening of any meet authorized by the Commission, the Commission, at the expense of the licensee for the meet, shall cause to be made an inspection of the track, grandstand and buildings where the meet is to be held, and, unless such track, grandstand and buildings are found to be safe for animals and persons or are rendered safe prior to the opening of the meet, the license for the meet shall be withdrawn.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 409 Rules, regulations and special powers of Commission; subpoenas; contempt; perjury.

(a) (1) The Commission shall adopt regulations governing the operation of thoroughbred racing including the regulation of betting in connection therewith and the regulation of the conduct of all participants in any racing meet, to insure the integrity and security of the conduct of meetings held pursuant to this chapter. Such regulations shall include provisions for disciplinary measures for violations thereof including the imposition of fines, suspension or revocation of licenses or permits, and ejection or expulsion from a licensee’s premises. (2) a. The Commission shall have the authority to impose a fine of up to $5,000 for any violation of its regulations. b. The stewards of a race meeting acting in accordance with such regulations if authorized by the Commission shall have the authority to impose disciplinary measures, including fines, suspension or revocation of licenses or permits, and ejection or exclusion from a licensee’s premises. c. All fines imposed pursuant to this section shall be paid over to the General Fund upon receipt by the Commission. d. A person fined or otherwise disciplined by the stewards of a race meeting shall have a right of appeal to the Commission and for a hearing before the Commission. Any person fined or otherwise disciplined by the Commission shall have a right of appeal to the Superior Court of the State. e. The action of the Commission shall stand unless and until reversed by the Court. (3) The Commission may request and receive assistance from, and rely upon information provided by, the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, and state or federal law enforcement agencies, in the investigation of any matters within its jurisdiction. (b) The Commission may make rules governing, restricting or regulating the rate or charge by a licensee for admission or for the performance of any service or the sale of any article on the premises of a licensee. (c) All proposed extensions, additions or improvements to the buildings, stables or improvements on tracks or property owned or leased by a licensee under this chapter shall be subject to the approval of the Commission. (d) The Commission may compel the production of any and all books, memoranda or documents showing the receipts and disbursements of any person licensed under the provisions of this chapter to conduct racing meets. (e) The Commission may at any time require the removal of any employee or official employed by any licensee under this chapter. (f) The Commission may require that the books, records and financial or other statements of any person licensed under the provisions of this chapter shall be kept in such form or in such manner as the Commission prescribes. The Commission may visit, investigate and place expert accountants and such other persons as it deems necessary, in the offices, tracks or places of business of any such person for the purpose of satisfying itself that the Commission’s rules and regulations are strictly complied with. The salaries and expenses of such expert accountants or other persons shall be paid by the person to whom they are assigned. (g) The Commission may issue, under the hand of any Commissioner and the seal of the Commission, subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers and documents before the Commission and may administer oaths or affirmations to the witnesses whenever in the judgment of the Commission it is necessary for the effectual discharge of its duties. If any person refuses to obey any subpoena or to testify or to produce any books, papers or documents, the Commission may apply to the Superior Court of Kent County, and, thereupon, the Court shall issue its subpoena requiring the person to appear and to testify or to produce the books, papers and documents. Whoever fails to obey or refuses to obey a subpoena of the Court shall be guilty of contempt of court and shall be punished accordingly. False swearing on the part of any witness shall be deemed perjury and shall be punished as such.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 410 Licensee’s annual financial statement.

Every licensee shall file with the Commission not later than 4 months after the close of its fiscal year a statement, duly certified by an independent public accountant, of its receipts from all sources whatsoever during the fiscal year and of all expenses and disbursements, itemized in the manner and form directed by the Commission, showing the net revenue from all sources derived by the licensee during the fiscal year covered by such statement.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 411 Tax on admissions; books and records; inspection.

(a) Every person licensed to hold a horse racing meet within Kent County shall pay to the Secretary of the Department of Finance a tax of 10 cents on each admission on each day of any such meet, excepting admissions of persons performing any duty or work in connection with the holding of the meet and excepting admissions of spouses of jockeys, owners and trainers of horses participating in the meet. The licensee may collect such amount from each ticket holder in addition to the amount charged for the ticket of admission. (b) Accurate records and books shall at all times be kept and maintained by the licensee showing the number of admissions, employees of the licensee and spouses of jockeys, owners and trainers of horses excepted, for each racing day of each horse racing meet. The Secretary of the Department of Finance, or the Secretary’s duly authorized representative, shall at all reasonable times have access to the admission records of any licensee for the purpose of examining and checking the same and ascertaining whether or not the proper amount has been, or is being, paid to the State. The Secretary of the Department of Finance may also, from time to time, require sworn statements of the number or numbers of such admissions and prescribe blanks upon which the reports shall be made.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 421 Application of chapter; simulcasts of races.

This chapter shall apply to horse races upon which wagering or betting is conducted in accordance with subchapter III of this chapter. For purposes of this chapter simulcasts of horse races or harness horse races displayed within the enclosure of any horse race meeting shall constitute horse racing within said enclosure.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 422 Liability insurance of licensee.

Ten days before any horse racing meet may be held under this chapter, those licensed to conduct the meet shall deposit with the Commission a policy of insurance against personal injury liability which may be sustained at the meet. The insurance shall be in an amount approved by the Commission with premium prepaid.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 423 Limitation on compensation that may be paid by licensee.

No salary, fee or compensation exceeding the sum of $2,000 shall be paid in any calendar year by any person licensed under this chapter, except to officials or employees actively engaged in the operations incident to the holding of the racing meet or in the maintenance of the racing plant.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 424 Enforcement.

All officers of the law shall cooperate with the Commission for the proper enforcement of this chapter.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 425 Aiding or abetting unlicensed meet; penalty.

Whoever aids or abets in the conduct of any meet within Kent County at which horse racing or horse races are permitted for any stake, purse or reward, and upon which wagering or betting is conducted as provided in this chapter, except in accordance with a license duly issued and unsuspended or unrevoked by the Commission, shall be fined not less than $500 and not more than $10,000 for each day of such unauthorized meeting, or imprisoned.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 426 Failure of licensee to pay tax on admissions; penalty.

(a) Whoever, being a licensee, fails or refuses to pay the amount found to be due by the Secretary of the Department of Finance as the tax on admissions shall be fined not more than $25,000 in addition to the amount due the Secretary of the Department of Finance. (b) All fines up to the amount found to be due the Secretary of the Department of Finance and paid into court by a licensee guilty of violating this section shall be transmitted and paid over by the clerk of the court to the Secretary of the Department of Finance.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 427 Restrictions on licensee acting as video lottery agent.

During any calendar year in which a licensee under this chapter has also been licensed by the Director of the State Lottery Office to maintain video lottery machines within the confines of a racetrack licensed under this chapter, an amount calculated pursuant to § 4815(b)(4) of Title 29 shall be added to the purses for the races to be held at the licensee’s racetrack. The allocation of said sums among the races to be held at the licensee’s racetrack shall be in accordance with contracts currently in force, or with the horse racing association recognized for purposes related to the allocation of purses, if applicable; provided, that all of such sums shall have been allocated no later than the end of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year of receipt of said sums by the licensee.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 441 Place for wagering.

Within the enclosure of any horse racing meet licensed and conducted under this chapter, but not elsewhere, the wagering and betting on horse racing by the use of pari-mutuel machines or totalizators is authorized and permitted.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 442 License to conduct pools; application; qualifications.

(a) The Commission may grant a license to any person to make, conduct and sell pools by the use of pari-mutuel machines or totalizators for the purpose of receiving wagers or bets on horse races within the enclosure of any horse racing meet licensed and conducted under this chapter, but not otherwise, under such regulations as the Commission prescribes. (b) The Commission may prescribe regulations governing the granting of applications for licenses, the granting of licenses and the conditions under which any licensee may conduct, sell or make any such pool. (c) The qualifications of any licensee shall be such as to afford a reasonable belief that the licensee will be financially responsible and will conduct the business of operating the pools in a proper and orderly manner. A licensee to make, conduct and sell such pools shall be a person licensed to conduct a horse racing meet under this chapter.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 443 Revocation of license.

All licenses for the operation of pools as provided in this chapter shall be revocable at any time, without hearing, at the absolute discretion of the Commission.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 444 Rules, regulations and special powers of Commission.

(a) The Commission may require the keeping of books and records by a licensee of a pool in such forms, or in such manner, as the Commission prescribes. The Commission may also regulate the duties of any employee of any such licensee, and visit, investigate and place expert accountants and such other persons as it deems necessary in the office or place of business of any person licensed to operate a pool for the purpose of satisfying itself that the Commission’s rules and regulations are strictly complied with. (b) The Commission may also issue, under its hand and seal, subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and production of books, papers and documents of the licensee before the Commission and may administer oaths or affirmations to the witnesses whenever in the judgment of the Commission it is necessary for the effectual discharge of its duties. If any person refuses to obey any subpoena, to testify or to produce any books, papers or documents, then the Commission may apply to the Superior Court of Kent County and thereupon the Court shall issue its subpoena requiring the person to appear and testify or to produce the books, papers and documents before the Commission. Any person failing to obey or refusing to obey a subpoena of the Court is guilty of contempt of court and shall be punished accordingly. False swearing on the part of any witness shall be deemed perjury and shall be punished as such.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 445 Tax on pari-mutuel and totalizator pools.

(a) (1) Every person engaged in the business of conducting a horse racing meet under this chapter shall pay as a tax to this State a percentage of the total contributions to all pari-mutuel and totalizator pools conducted or made on each racing day on any and every racetrack licensed under this chapter and on all races that day at such track. (2) The percentage of such pari-mutuel and totalizator pools to be paid as such tax shall be as follows: a. One percent if the total daily contributions to such pools do not exceed $400,000; b. Three percent if the total daily contributions to such pools exceed $400,000 but do not exceed $600,000; c. Five percent if the total daily contributions to such pools exceed $600,000. (3) The tax shall be computed daily and shall be paid by a certified check on a weekly basis. Each check shall be transmitted by the licensee to the Secretary of the Department of Finance no later than Wednesday following the week for which the tax is due. (b) In addition to the other taxes required by this section, every person engaged in the business of conducting a horse racing meet under this chapter shall pay as a tax to this State 2 percent of the total contributions to all special pari-mutuel and totalizator pools conducted or made on each racing day on any and every racetrack licensed under this chapter. Special pari-mutuel and totalizator pool means a separate wagering pool in which an interest is represented by a single wager on 2 or more horses, and shall include, but not be limited to daily doubles, exactas, quinellas, perfectas, tri-perfectas, twin doubles and big exactas.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 446 Licensee’s commissions on pari-mutuel and totalizator pools.

(a) The Commission shall authorize commissions pursuant to subsection (b) of this section on pari-mutuel or totalizator pools to all licensees operating a racing meet pursuant to this chapter. The commission shall be a portion of the total daily contributions to all pari-mutuel or totalizator pools conducted or made at the racing meet and at every race at that meet, plus the odd cents of all redistributions to be made on all pari-mutuel or totalizator pool contributions exceeding the sum equal to the next lowest multiple of 10, such odd cents to be calculated upon the basis of each dollar wagered. (b) IF TOTAL DAILY CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUCH COMMISSION POOLS ARE: 16 ½% $1.00 to $400,000 14 ½% $400,001 to $600,000 12 ½% over $600,000.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 447 Deduction of federal taxes from total of contributions.

For the purpose of making any of the calculations of amounts payable to the State and to the licensee under §§ 445 and 446 of this title, no federal taxes, if any, shall be deducted from the amount of total contributions before applying the percentage specified in those sections.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 448 Disposition of moneys for unclaimed pari-mutuel tickets.

All sums held by any licensee for payment of outstanding pari-mutuel tickets not claimed by the person or persons entitled thereto within a period of 1 year following the last day of the meet shall be paid by certified check to the Commission. If the Commission finds such payment correct it shall transmit the check to the State Treasurer.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 461 Authority of Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission; “Commission” defined.

(a) The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission as created and existing under Chapter 101 of Title 3 shall have jurisdiction over horse racing in Kent County pursuant to this chapter and shall have authority to grant licenses therefor as provided in this chapter. (b) The word “Commission” as it appears in this chapter shall mean the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission as created and existing pursuant to Chapter 3 of this title.

Del. Code tit. 28, § 462 Effect of chapter.

No provision of this chapter shall in any way be construed to repeal any provision contained in Chapter 101 of Title 3, provided, however, that where any provision of this chapter shall be in conflict with any provision of Chapter 3 of this title, the provisions of this chapter shall control with respect to horse racing in Kent County.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title28/c004/sc01/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026