W. Va. Code R. § 178-1-19

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 178-1-19 - License Required

19.1. Any individual, partnership, firm, association, corporation, or other entity or organization of whatever character or description wishing to obtain a license to conduct a race meeting with pari-mutuel wagering during any calendar year shall file a license application with the Racing Commission on forms prescribed by the Racing Commission.

19.2. Such application shall disclose, but not be limited to, the following:

19.2.a. If the applicant is an individual, the full name and address of the applicant;

19.2.b. If the applicant is a partnership, firm or association, the full name and address of each partner or member thereof and the name of the partnership, firm or association and its address;

19.2.c. If the applicant is a corporation, its name, the state of its incorporation, its address, the full name and address of each officer and director thereof, and if a foreign corporation, whether it is qualified to do business in the state of West Virginia;

19.2.d. The dates such applicant intends to hold or conduct each horse race meeting during the calendar year;

19.2.e. The location of the horse racetrack, place or enclosure where such applicant proposes to hold or conduct such horse race meeting;

19.2.f. Whether the applicant, any partner, member, officer, or director has previously applied for a license under W. Va. Code § 19-23-1et seq. or for a similar license in this or any other state, and if so, whether such license was issued or refused, and, if issued, whether it was ever suspended or revoked;

19.2.g. If the applicant is an individual, his or her fingerprints; if the applicant is a partnership, firm or association, the fingerprints of each partner or each member; if the applicant is a corporation, the fingerprints of each officer and director. Such fingerprints shall be provided for examination by the West Virginia State Police Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and shall be accompanied by a signed authorization for the release of information by those agencies;

19.2.h. Such other information as the Racing Commission may in its discretion reasonably require, including, but not limited to, satisfactory evidence that the applicant has the ability to pay all taxes due the state, purses, salaries of racing officials and other expenses incident to the horse race meeting for which a license is sought. If satisfactory evidence of ability to pay such expenses and fees cannot be furnished by the applicant, the Racing Commission may require a bond or other adequate security before the license is issued; and

19.2.i. A signed, notarized verification that the information contained on the application is true and accurate. Such verification shall be signed by the individual seeking the license; or, by a partner or member if the applicant is a partnership, firm or association; or, by an officer or director if the applicant is a corporation.

19.3. A license is neither transferrable nor assignable to any other person. The sale of the assets of an association requires the buyer to apply for a racing license from the Racing Commission if the buyer wishes to conduct a horse race meeting with pari-mutuel wagering in this state.

19.4. The Racing Commission shall promptly consider any application for a license. Based upon such application and any other information before it, the Racing Commission shall make and enter an order either approving or denying the application. If an application for a license is approved, the Racing Commission shall issue a license to conduct a horse race meeting, and shall designate on the face of the license the dates upon which the horse race meeting shall be held, the location of the horse racetrack, place or enclosure where the horse race meeting is to be held, and other information as the Racing Commission shall consider proper.

19.5. The Racing Commission may deny an application for a license or may suspend, revoke, or otherwise discipline a license if it finds that the applicant or the licensee:

19.5.a. Has knowingly made a false statement of material fact in the application or has knowingly failed to disclose any information called for in the application;

19.5.b. Is or has been found guilty of any corrupt or fraudulent act, practice or conduct in connection with any horse race meeting in this or any other state;

19.5.c. Is or has been convicted, within ten years prior to the date of the application, of an offense which under the laws of this state, of any other state or of the United States of America, shall constitute a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude;

19.5.d. Has failed to comply with W. Va. Code § 19-23-1et seq. or any rules of the Racing Commission;

19.5.e. Has had a license to hold or conduct a horse race meeting denied for just cause, suspended or revoked in any other state;

19.5.f. Has defaulted in the payment of any obligation or debt due to the state of West Virginia under W. Va. Code § 19-23-1et seq;

19.5.g. Is, if a corporation, neither incorporated under the laws of this state nor qualified to do business in this state; or

19.5.h. Has failed to furnish a bond or other adequate security, if the same is required by the Racing Commission under W. Va. Code § 19-23-7(b) and this rule.

19.6. In issuing licenses for horse race meetings at the various horse racetracks in this state, the Racing Commission shall consider the horse racing circuits with which the horse racetracks in this state are associated or contiguous to, and shall also consider dates which are calculated to increase the tax revenues accruing from horse racing.

19.7. If a horse racetrack, place or enclosure specified on the face of the license as the licensee's location for horse racing becomes unsuitable because of flood, fire, or other catastrophe, or cannot be used for any reason, the Racing Commission may, upon application, authorize the horse race meeting, or any remaining portion thereof, to be conducted at any other racetrack, place or enclosure available for that purpose, provided that the owner of the racetrack, place or enclosure willingly consents to the use thereof.

W. Va. Code R. § 178-1-19