- Massachusetts amendment H 4034 extends the authorization of horse racing and simulcasting until December 15, 2025.
- Governor Maura Healy must sign the agreement into law on Tuesday in order to avoid any race cancellations.
BOSTON – Massachusetts lawmakers reached a compromise and shipped Governor Maura Healey a horse racing extension bill. The bill extends horse racing and simulcasting that would’ve met legal expiration without any action on Monday.
Agreement H 4034 extends legal horse racing in the Commonwealth until December 15, 2025. However, Governor Healey needs to sign the bill into law on Tuesday afternoon to avoid race cancellations.
Lawmakers failed to reach an extension in time in 2018, resulting in Massachusetts gambling tracks losing business and canceling races. Last year’s extension didn’t run smoothly either, as an extension bill was signed shortly before races began.
Massachusetts tracks hosting horse betting hope not to meet a similar fate on Tuesday, but Monday’s agreement is a good sign that Tuesday’s races will continue as scheduled.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has repeatedly supported legislation to avoid these last-minute extensions that would extend legal horse racing long-term.
Local news Channel 22 provided a letter from the Commission that states “[A]n extension beyond one year would be the Commission’s preference to allow for long-term planning within the horse racing community. The live racing season is well underway at Plainridge Park Casino (Plainridge) and any delay in extending the legislation would have a significant impact on horsemen, as well as the employees of Plainridge and the simulcasting operators throughout the Commonwealth,”
They also stated that “A delay would also have a detrimental impact on account wagering activity which provides needed revenue for the licensees, horsemen’s purse accounts and Division of Racing.”
Although it’s unexpected, bettors will resort to online gambling if Governor Healey signs the legal horse racing extension into law.