Chapter 562

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.

562.05(3m) (3m) The department may not accept an application for a license for a race under sub. (1) (c) unless the county board of the county in which that race will be conducted has approved the applicant’s sponsorship and management of that race.

562.05(3r) (3r) The application for the first license under sub. (1) (a) to be issued for any location shall be accompanied by a resolution, supporting the proposed location of the racetrack and its ownership and operation by the applicant, which has been adopted, after a public hearing, by the governing body of the city, village or town where the racetrack is proposed to be located. A common council may not adopt such a resolution if an ordinance prohibiting the location of a racetrack at the proposed location has been adopted under s. 9.20 before May 3, 1988, or a petition for such an ordinance has been filed, under s. 9.20, before May 3, 1988. Except as provided in this subsection, no ordinance adopted under s. 9.20 or 66.0101 may prohibit the location of a racetrack in any city or village.

562.05(3w) (3w) Except as provided under subs. (3) to (3r), the department may issue a license under sub. (1) (a) if the department determines that all of the following conditions are met:

562.05(3w)(a) (a) At least 51 percent of the ownership interest in the racetrack is held by residents of this state.

562.05(3w)(b) (b) The license will not adversely affect the public health, welfare and safety.

562.05(3w)(c) (c) The racetrack will be operated in accordance with applicable laws.

562.05(3w)(d) (d) The applicant is qualified and financially able to operate a racetrack.

562.05(3wmr) (3wmr) If the condition under sub. (2m) is relevant to its decision, the department may consider secondary economic impacts of an applicant’s proposal for a racetrack if the applicant proves by a preponderance of evidence that the alleged secondary impacts will enhance the success of the applicant’s proposed racetrack and the location of the proposed racetrack would compliment existing development with the overall effect of increasing tourism and generating state revenues from out-of-state residents.

562.05(3wr) (3wr) The first license issued to each applicant under sub. (1) (a) for each racetrack expires after 5 years. Any subsequent license issued to the same applicant for that racetrack expires after one year.

562.05(3wt) (3wt) In the first license issued to each applicant under sub. (1) (a) for each racetrack, the department shall specify a date by which each of the types of racing authorized under the license shall begin at that racetrack. Upon request of the licensee, the department may change a specified date to an earlier or later date pursuant to rules of the department.

562.05(4) (4) Any application for a license to sponsor and manage a race shall be accompanied by a bond, in an amount determined by the department, which shall be sufficient to guarantee the payment of fees, taxes and other money due, including animal owners’ purses and payouts on winning wagers.

562.05(4m) (4m) Except as provided in sub. (4), the department may issue a license under sub. (1) (b) if the department determines that all of the following conditions are met:

562.05(4m)(a) (a) The license will not adversely affect the public health, welfare and safety.

562.05(4m)(b) (b) The applicant will conduct races in accordance with applicable laws.

562.05(4m)(c) (c) The license will not create competition that will adversely affect any other licensee under sub. (1) (a) or (b).

562.05(5) (5) 

562.05(5)(a) (a) No license may be issued under sub. (1) to any person to whom any of the following applies:

562.05(5)(a)1. 1. The person is in default on any payment required under this chapter or under any rule promulgated under this chapter or under any law of any other state related to pari-mutuel wagering or racing.

562.05(5)(a)2. 2. The person has been convicted of a felony within 20 years preceding the date of application in a state or federal court for which he or she has not been pardoned and restored to full civil rights or 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.

562.05(5)(a)3. 3. The person is or has been connected with or engaged in any business which is prohibited under the laws of this or another state or of the United States.

562.05(5)(a)4. 4. The person has been convicted of fraud or misrepresentation in connection with racing or animal breeding.

562.05(5)(a)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 racing, pari-mutuel wagering or of any other form of gambling which is a serious violation, as defined by the department by rule.