Section 437.10  Scope

 

This Part shall apply to applicants for licenses for county fairs authorized by Section 37-9(a),(n) of the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 (Act) (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 8, par. 37-9(a),(n), as amended by P.A. 85-1170, effective August 12, 1988).

 

Section 437.20  Application Procedures

 

All applications shall be filed with the Illinois Racing Board (Board) no later than April 15, 1989.  Board personnel shall review the applications for completeness, notify the applicants of any additional material required and the date by which such material must be submitted, within 30 days of the Board's receipt of the application. Board personnel shall inspect the applicant's facilities for compliance with the Board's rules.

 

Section 437.30  Criteria For Selection

 

In selecting the county fairs to receive licenses, the Board shall consider the following factors:  the financial ability of the applicant to meet the obligations associated with the proposed race meeting, both estimated actual liabilities and contingent liabilities; the quality of the accommodations available for the running of the race (including ability to guarantee the integrity of the race); the accommodations available to the public; the quality/competitiveness of the races (as evidenced by, among other items, purse structure); the potential to maximize revenue to horsemen, the county fair association and the state (as evidenced by, among other items, past attendance figures); the ability to safeguard the interests of the wagering public. Facilities which most closely approximate those required by the Board's rules will be considered to have best attained these standards. The Board will give preference to associations who utilize agents or contractors with demonstrated experience in operating, in whole or in part, race meetings upon which pari-mutuel wagering is conducted.

 

Section 437.40  Board Rules Apply

 

All provisions of the Act and  Subchapters a, b, c, and f of the rules of the Board shall apply to county fair associations and their agents unless the provision of the Act, or rule has been waived by the Board pursuant to Section 9(n) of the Act.  The Board shall grant such waivers when it determines that, based upon a preponderance of the evidence, the waiver will not decrease the safety of the race for human and equine participants, compromise the integrity of the race meeting or wagering thereon, or decrease revenue to the state.