Chapter 562

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.

562.05 562.05 Licenses.

562.05(1) (1) No person may engage in any of the following activities without a valid annual license issued by the department:

562.05(1)(a) (a) The ownership and operation of a racetrack at which pari-mutuel wagering is conducted.

562.05(1)(b) (b) The sponsorship and management of any race on which pari-mutuel wagering is conducted and which is not located at a fair.

562.05(1)(c) (c) The sponsorship and management of any horse race on which pari-mutuel wagering is conducted and which is located at a fair.

562.05(1)(d) (d) Any occupation required to be licensed under s. 562.02 (1) (am) or determined by the department under s. 562.02 (1) (am) to require a license.

562.05(1)(e) (e) The conduct of intertrack wagering.

562.05(1b) (1b) The department shall approve and conduct an examination to be administered to all applicants for a license under sub. (1) (d) to be a horse trainer. No license may be issued under sub. (1) (d) to a horse trainer unless the department determines that the applicant for the license is qualified as evidenced by the applicant’s performance on the examination conducted under this subsection.

562.05(1c) (1c) If the applicant for a license under this section is an individual, the department may not issue or renew a license if the individual has not provided his or her social security number, unless the individual does not have a social security number and the applicant submits a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation as required under sub. (1e). If the applicant for a license under this section is not an individual, the department may not issue or renew a license if the person has not provided the person’s federal employer identification number.

562.05(1e) (1e) If an applicant for a license under this section is an individual who does not have a social security number, the applicant shall submit to the department with his or her application a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department of children and families. A license issued in reliance upon a false statement submitted under this subsection is invalid.

562.05(1g) (1g) A license issued under sub. (1) (a) may authorize the ownership and operation of a racetrack where horse racing is conducted, the ownership and operation of a racetrack not at a fair where dog racing is conducted or the ownership and operation of a racetrack not at a fair where both horse racing and dog racing are conducted. A license issued under sub. (1) (b) may authorize the sponsorship and management of horse races or dog races, or both horse races and dog races, at the same location.

562.05(1m) (1m) The department may not issue a license under sub. (1) (a) to (c) except after a public hearing.

562.05(2) (2) The department shall establish, by rule, the qualifications for any license required under sub. (1) and fix the fee for that license and any background investigation under sub. (7) related to that license. Any moneys received under this subsection shall be credited to the appropriation accounts under ss. 20.455 (2) (g) and 20.505 (8) (g).

562.05(2m) (2m) In issuing a license to own and operate a racetrack not at a fair, the department shall consider the competitive effects on any other licensee under sub. (1) (a) or (b). These competitive effects shall include, but not be restricted to, the impact on the economic viability of existing licensed racetracks and the jobs that have been created by such licensed racetracks.

562.05(3) (3) No person may hold more than one license issued under sub. (1) (a) and one license issued under sub. (1) (b) or (c). If the applicant for any of those licenses is a corporation, association, limited liability company or partnership, the department shall determine whether the applicant is the same person as another licensee for the purpose of applying this subsection. Nothing in this subsection prohibits any person with a license under sub. (1) from contracting for services with any other person with a license under sub. (1), subject to any rules promulgated by the department.