Iowa Admin. Code r. 491-8.4 - Simulcast wagering

(1) General.

a. Rules. All simulcasting must be transmitted live, and all wagering on simulcasting shall be made in accordance with the commission rules on pari-mutuel wagering. Commission rules in effect during live racing shall remain in effect during simulcasting where applicable.

b. Transmission. The method used to transmit sales transaction and data including, but not limited to, the odds, will pay, race results, and payoff prices must be approved by the commission, based upon the determination that provisions to secure the system and transmission are satisfactory. If the method relies on Internet service to transmit, a backup Internet service shall be used in the event of transmission failure until all transactions are completed for the day.

c. Communication. A communication system between the host track and the receiving facility must be provided which will allow the totalizator operator and the commission representatives at the host track to communicate with the facility receiving the signal. The facility is responsible during the racing program's operating hours for reporting any problems or delays to the public.

d. Approval.

(1) All simulcasting, both interstate and intrastate, must be preapproved by the commission or commission representative. Each facility conducting simulcasting shall submit an annual written simulcast proposal to the commission with the application for license renewal required by 491-Chapter 1.

(2) The commission representative, upon written request, may grant modifications to the annual simulcast proposal. The commission representative may approve or disapprove simulcast requests at the representative's discretion. Factors that may be considered include, but are not limited to, economic conditions of a facility, impact on other facilities, impact on the Iowa breeding industry, other gambling in the state, and any other considerations the commission representative deems appropriate.

(3) Once simulcast authority has been granted by the commission or commission representative, it shall be the affirmative responsibility of the facility granted simulcast authority to obtain all necessary permission from other jurisdictions and tracks to simulcast the pari-mutuel races. In addition, the burden of adhering to state and federal laws concerning simulcasting rests on the facility at all times.

(2) Simulcast host.

a. Every host facility, if requested, may contract with an authorized receiver for the purpose of providing authorized users its simulcast. All contracts governing participation in interstate or intrastate pools shall be submitted to the commission representative for prior approval. Contracts shall be of such content and in such format as required by the commission representative.

b. A host facility is responsible for the content of the simulcast and shall use all reasonable effort to present a simulcast which offers the viewers an exemplary depiction of each performance.

c. Unless otherwise permitted by the commission representative, every simulcast will contain in its video content a digital display of actual time of day, the name of the host facility from which the simulcast originates, the number of the contest being displayed, and any other relevant information available to patrons at the host facility.

d. The host facility shall maintain such security controls, including encryption over its uplink and communications systems, as directed or approved by the commission or commission representative.

e. Financial reports shall be submitted daily or as otherwise directed by the commission representative. Reports shall be of such content and in such format as required by the commission representative.

(3) Authorized receiver.

a. An authorized receiver shall provide:

(1) Adequate transmitting and receiving equipment of acceptable broadcast quality which shall not interfere with the closed circuit TV system of the host facility for providing any host facility patron information.

(2) Pari-mutuel terminals, pari-mutuel odds displays, modems and switching units enabling pari-mutuel data transmissions, and data communications between the host and guest facilities.

(3) A voice communication system between each guest facility and the host facility providing timely voice contact among the commission representative, placing judges, and mutuel departments.

b. The guest facility and all authorized receivers shall conduct pari-mutuel wagering pursuant to the applicable commission rules.

c. Not less than 30 minutes prior to the commencement of transmission of the performance of pari-mutuel contests, the guest facility shall initiate a test program of its transmitter, encryption and decoding, and data communication to ensure proper operation of the system.

d. The guest facility shall, in conjunction with the host facility(ies) for which it operates pari-mutuel wagering, provide the commission representative with a certified report of its pari-mutuel operations as directed by the commission representative.

e. Every authorized receiver shall file with the commission an annual report of its simulcast operations and an audited financial statement.

f. The mutuel manager shall notify the commission representative when the transfer of pools, pool totals, or calculations are in question, or if partial or total cancellations occur, and shall suggest alternatives for continued operation. Should loss of video signal occur, wagering may continue with approval from the commission representative.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 491-8.4

ARC 0734C, IAB 5/15/2013, effective 6/19/2013 Amended by IAB February 26, 2020/Volume XLII, Number 18, effective 4/1/2020 Amended by IAB February 9, 2022/Volume XLIV, Number 16, effective 3/16/2022