Chapter 562

562.02(1) (1) The department shall:

562.02(1)(a) (a) Regulate racing and on-track pari-mutuel wagering in this state and shall promulgate all rules necessary to administer this chapter. The department shall do everything necessary to ensure that the public interest is protected in relation to racing.

562.02(1)(am) (am) Administer the issuance of licenses. The department may not issue any license under s. 562.05 (1) (a) to (c) without a hearing. The department shall determine which occupations related to racing require licensing, except that the department shall require licenses for the following:

562.02(1)(am)1. 1. Occupations of participants in horse racing, including horse owners or lessees, horse trainers and their assistants, jockeys or drivers, exercise riders and grooms.

562.02(1)(am)2. 2. Occupations of participants in dog racing, including dog owners or lessees, dog trainers and their assistants, kennel masters and kennel helpers.

562.02(1)(am)3. 3. Veterinarians.

562.02(1)(am)4. 4. Race officials and personnel.

562.02(1)(am)5. 5. Pari-mutuel personnel.

562.02(1)(am)6. 6. Security personnel.

562.02(1)(am)7. 7. Persons holding concession, management, consultant or other contracts to provide goods or services to a licensee under s. 562.05 (1) (a) to (c).

562.02(1)(b) (b) Promulgate rules to ensure the humane treatment of animals which race in this state or which are bred and trained in this state for racing and shall establish a program to administer those rules.

562.02(1)(c) (c) Determine what types of races may be conducted in this state.

562.02(1)(d) (d) Require by rule that any contract in excess of $10,000 for the provision of goods and services, including but not limited to concessions contracts, entered into by any licensee, be subject to the approval of the department and that all contracts for $10,000 or less shall be filed with the department.

562.02(1)(e) (e) By rule, prescribe any restriction on wagering by a licensee or the employees of a licensee which it deems necessary to protect the public interest.

562.02(1)(f) (f) Establish, by rule, a schedule of license suspensions and revocations or forfeitures for violations of this chapter or department rules which may be imposed by the department under sub. (2) (f) or by the stewards under s. 562.04 (1) (b). A forfeiture under that schedule may not exceed $10,000. The rule shall include factors to be considered by stewards in acting under s. 562.04 (1) (b).

562.02(1)(fm) (fm) Approve the appointment of any steward serving under s. 562.04 (1) and (2).

562.02(1)(g) (g) At least once every 3 months, file a written report on the operation of racing in this state with the governor, the attorney general, the secretary of administration, the secretary of state, the legislative audit bureau, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly. The report shall include information on racetrack operations, race attendance, and private, state, and local revenues derived from racing in this state.

562.02(1)(h) (h) By rule, specify the types of records and books to be maintained by licensees, and, for submission to the department, the type of audit of those books and records to be conducted by licensees and the type of financial report to be prepared by licensees.

562.02(1)(j) (j) Enforce this chapter and the rules under this chapter.

562.02(1)(k) (k) Approve or reject the amount that a licensee is required to deduct from the total amount wagered under s. 562.065 (3) (a).

562.02(2) (2) The department may:

562.02(2)(a) (a) Employ the staff it deems necessary to administer this chapter, including but not limited to any chemist and veterinarian. The department may not contract for the services of any veterinarian or chemist unless the veterinarian or chemist has not had a conflict of interest under s. 562.025 (2) at any time during the 12 months immediately preceding the date on which the contract for such services is entered into.

562.02(2)(b) (b) Require a fidelity bond for the administrator and any other employee of the division of gaming or may purchase a bond which covers the administrator and all other employees of the division of gaming or designated employees of the division of gaming.

562.02(2)(c) (c) Conduct investigations and inquiries and subpoena any information, document or record which it deems necessary to carry out its duties.

562.02(2)(d) (d) Without a warrant, inspect any racetrack and examine any book or other record of a licensee subject to the rules promulgated under sub. (1) (h).

562.02(2)(e) (e) Exclude from any racetrack any person who:

562.02(2)(e)1. 1. Has been convicted of a violation of a law of this or another state or of the United States related to racing or other forms of gambling or to the mistreatment of animals;

562.02(2)(e)2. 2. Has had a license which was issued under s. 562.05 or under the laws related to racing of any other state suspended, revoked or denied; or

562.02(2)(e)3. 3. Is determined by the department to be a threat to the integrity of racing in this state.

562.02(2)(f) (f) Suspend or revoke any license or impose a forfeiture for any violation of this chapter or department rules relating to pari-mutuel racing. The department may suspend or revoke an occupational license issued under s. 562.05 (1) (d) or impose a forfeiture on that licensee under this paragraph if the stewards do not hold a meeting under s. 562.04 (1) (b) or hold a meeting but do not suspend the license or impose a forfeiture. Upon appeal, the department may change any action of the stewards under s. 562.04 (1) (b). Fifty percent of the moneys received under this paragraph shall be credited to the appropriation accounts under ss. 20.455 (2) (g) and 20.505 (8) (g).

562.02(2)(fm) (fm) Contract with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection for any services related to the duties of the department in ensuring the security and humane treatment of animals.

562.02(2)(g) (g) Create a 5-member advisory council, with members representing the racing industry and occupations licensed under s. 562.05 (1) (d), to advise the department on the administration of its powers and duties under this chapter. No member of that council may be reimbursed for any expense incurred in the performance of his or her duties or for any service as a member of that advisory council.

562.02(2)(h) (h) Inspect and conduct investigations of facilities in this state used for breeding or training animals for racing, for the purpose of obtaining compliance with laws relating to the humane treatment of animals.

562.02(4) (4) Except as provided under s. 562.05 (2m), the department shall issue a license under s. 562.05 (1) (a) to any person who satisfies the requirements of this chapter for such a license.

562.02 History History: 1987 a. 354; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 269, 315; 1995 a. 27 ss. 6951, 6952, 9123 (6pp); 1997 a. 27; 2003 a. 33.

562.02 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also Game, Wis. adm. code.

562.025 562.025 Conflicts of interest.

562.025(1) (1) No employee in the division of gaming who performs any duty related to racing or the secretary, deputy secretary, or assistant deputy secretary of administration and no member of such a person’s immediate family, as defined in s. 19.42 (7), may, while that person is employed or serves in such a capacity or for 2 years following the termination of his or her employment with the department after having served in such a capacity, do any of the following:

562.025(1)(a) (a) Hold a license or be employed by, or have any direct or indirect interest in, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or association which holds such a license.

562.025(1)(b) (b) Be employed by or have any direct or indirect interest in any corporation, association, limited liability company or partnership which holds any contract, including but not limited to a concession contract, to supply goods or services to any licensee or at the location of any race.

562.025(1)(c) (c) Own, wholly or in part, or have any other interest in any animal which is entered in any race.

562.025(1)(d) (d) Wager or cause a wager to be made on any race.

562.025(1)(e) (e) Accept or agree to accept money or anything of value from anyone who holds a license or who is regulated by or holds any contract to supply goods or services to the department.

562.025(2) (2) No person under contract with the department and no employee of any person under contract with the department, other than a vendor or an employee of a vendor as defined in s. 565.01 (7), may do any of the following:

562.025(2)(a) (a) Hold any license, except a license covering the professional services being provided to the department, or be employed by or have any direct or indirect interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or association which holds a license.

562.025(2)(b) (b) Have any direct or indirect interest in or be employed by any person who has any direct or indirect interest in any corporation, association, limited liability company or partnership which holds any contract, including but not limited to a concession contract, to supply goods or services to any licensee or at the location of any race.

562.025(2)(c) (c) Own, wholly or in part, or have any other interest in any animal which is entered in any race.

562.025(2)(d) (d) Wager or cause a wager to be made on any race.

562.025(2)(e) (e) Accept or agree to accept money or anything of value from any person who holds a license or who is regulated by the department or holds any contract to supply goods or services to the department other than the contract under which the person provides professional services.

562.025 History History: 1987 a. 354; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 269; 1993 a. 112, 213, 271; 1995 a. 27 s. 9123 (6pp); 1997 a. 27; 2013 a. 20.

562.03 562.03 Administrator.

562.03(1) (1) 

562.03(1)(a) (a) The department shall appoint the administrator after a nationwide search for persons with experience in public gaming management and regulation and with knowledge of animal racing and pari-mutuel wagering.

562.03(1)(b) (b) Before appointing an administrator, the department shall, with the assistance of the department of justice, conduct a background investigation of the proposed administrator. The department shall require the proposed administrator to be photographed and fingerprinted on 2 fingerprint cards each bearing a complete set of the person’s fingerprints. The department of justice may provide for the submission of the fingerprint cards to the federal bureau of investigation for the purposes of verifying the identity of the person fingerprinted and obtaining any record of his or her criminal arrests and convictions.

562.03(2) (2) The administrator may employ or provide by contract for the services of stewards, subject to the approval of the department. Any steward under a contract under this subsection shall be under a contract with the department.

562.03(3) (3) 

562.03(3)(a) (a) The department may employ the staff it considers necessary to administer this chapter.

562.03(3)(b) (b) Before making an appointment under par. (a) and sub. (4), the department shall conduct a background investigation of the proposed employee and shall require that proposed employee to be photographed and fingerprinted on 2 fingerprint cards each bearing a complete set of the person’s fingerprints. The department of justice may provide for the submission of the fingerprint cards to the federal bureau of investigation for the purposes of verifying the identity of the person fingerprinted and obtaining any record of his or her criminal arrests and convictions.

562.03(4) (4) The administrator shall appoint and supervise a chief steward.

562.03 History History: 1987 a. 354; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 269; 1993 a. 213; 1995 a. 27 ss. 6953, 9123 (6pp); 1997 a. 27.

562.04 562.04 Racing officials.

562.04(1) (1) Stewards.

562.04(1)(a) (a) Three stewards shall preside over races conducted at a racetrack not at a fair. At least 2 of those stewards shall be employees of the department or providing services to the department under a professional services contract. The rate of compensation of stewards serving under contract to the department shall be commensurate with the rate of compensation established for stewards employed by the department, but less than the rate established for the chief steward. Stewards presiding over a racetrack shall do all of the following:

562.04(1)(a)1. 1. Ensure that races are conducted under the rules of the department.

562.04(1)(a)2. 2. Supervise racing and the racetrack to ensure the integrity of races.

562.04(1)(a)3. 3. Certify the official results of races.

562.04(1)(a)4. 4. Settle any dispute arising from racing.

562.04(1)(a)5. 5. Perform any other duty assigned by the department.

562.04(1)(b) (b) If one or more stewards have reasonable cause to believe that a person holding a license under s. 562.05 (1) (d) has violated this chapter or rules of the department relating to pari-mutuel racing or engaged in any other conduct which in the opinion of the stewards adversely affects the integrity of racing, the following procedures apply:

562.04(1)(b)1. 1. The 3 stewards shall meet within 3 working days after any one of them has reasonable cause to believe that the alleged violation or conduct occurred.

562.04(1)(b)2. 2. The stewards shall notify the licensee of the time, date and location of the meeting, the specific conduct constituting the alleged offense and the right of the licensee to be present at the meeting, to address stewards at the meeting and to have counsel or an observer of the licensee’s choosing present at the meeting.

562.04(1)(b)3. 3. A meeting of the stewards under this paragraph is not a contested case under s. 227.01 (3).

562.04(1)(b)4. 4. If at least 2 stewards determine that the violation or conduct has occurred, the stewards may, under the schedule established by the department under s. 562.02 (1) (f), suspend a license issued under s. 562.05 (1) (d) for a period not to exceed 90 days or impose a forfeiture not to exceed $2,000 or both; or recommend that the department suspend a license for more than 90 days or impose a forfeiture exceeding $2,000 or both. Fifty percent of the moneys received under this subdivision shall be credited to the appropriation accounts under ss. 20.455 (2) (g) and 20.505 (8) (g).

562.04(1)(b)5. 5. After the meeting under subd. 1., the stewards shall submit, in writing, all findings and conclusions from that meeting to the licensee and the department, including the sanctions, if any, imposed by the stewards and shall provide the licensee who is the subject of the meeting with a notice of his or her right to appeal the decision under subd. 6. Within 7 days after receiving the decision, the licensee shall pay any forfeitures imposed by the stewards, regardless of whether the decision is appealed or stayed under subd. 6.

562.04(1)(b)6. 6. Any person adversely affected by a decision issued under subd. 4. may appeal that decision to the department. The appeal shall be filed with the department within 7 days after receipt of that written decision. An appeal does not automatically stay the decision of the stewards. Any person may request that the administrator stay that decision pending the decision of the department on the appeal. If the administrator receives such a request and determines that the stay will not adversely affect public safety or welfare or the safety or welfare of an animal, the administrator shall order the stay. The procedure for the appeal under this subdivision is under ch. 227. If part or all of any forfeiture imposed under subd. 5. is refunded to the licensee under this subdivision, the refund shall include interest calculated at the rate of 9 percent per year on that amount. The decision of the department on the appeal shall be the final administrative decision on any action of the stewards under subd. 4.

562.04(2) (2) Other racing officials. The department shall, by rule, specify all of the following:

562.04(2)(a) (a) Racing officials, in addition to stewards, required for races conducted at a racetrack not at a fair.

562.04(2)(b) (b) All racing officials, including stewards, required for races conducted under a license issued under s. 562.05 (1) (c).

562.04(2)(c) (c) Qualifications for stewards serving under sub. (1) and for other racing officials serving under pars. (a) and (b).

562.04(2)(d) (d) A fee for the supervision of racing by stewards or other racing officials employed by or under contract with the department. Any moneys received under this paragraph shall be credited to the appropriation accounts under ss. 20.455 (2) (g) and 20.505 (8) (g).

562.04 History History: 1987 a. 354; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 269; 1993 a. 84; 1995 a. 27 s. 9123 (6pp); 1997 a. 27.

562.045 562.045 Qualifications of administrator, other employees and stewards. Notwithstanding s. 111.321, no person may serve as an administrator or other employee of the division of gaming or as a steward employed by the department or under contract with the department if any of the following apply:

562.045(1) (1) The person has been convicted in a state or federal court of a felony, other than a felony conviction for an offense under subs. (3) to (6), for which he or she has not been pardoned under which his or her full civil rights are restored.

562.045(2) (2) The person has been charged with the violation of a state or federal law which is a felony if that charge has not been dismissed or settled in any other way.

562.045(3) (3) The person has been convicted of fraud or misrepresentation in connection with racing or animal breeding.

562.045(4) (4) The person has been convicted of a violation of any law of this or another state or of the United States related to racing, pari-mutuel wagering or any other form of gambling.

562.045(5) (5) The person has been convicted of a violation of any law of this or another state or of the United States related to the humane treatment of animals.

562.045(6) (6) The person has knowingly violated a rule or order of the department relating to pari-mutuel racing or any provision of this chapter, s. 182.020 or ch. 945.

562.045 History History: 1987 a. 354; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 269; 1995 a. 27 s. 9123 (6pp); 1997 a. 27.