A. Applications for organization licenses must be filed with the Commission at a time and place prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Commission. Beginning with organization license applications for the 1994 calendar year, the Commission shall develop and use separate application forms for applicants requesting an organization license to conduct horse racing with the pari-mutuel system of wagering and applicants requesting an organization license to conduct horse racing without the pari-mutuel system of wagering. For use for the 1993 calendar year organization licenses, an applicant requesting to conduct horse racing without the pari-mutuel system of wagering shall make application with the Commission on American Quarter Horse Association application forms. Applications for an organization license to conduct horse racing without the pari-mutuel system of wagering for the 1993 calendar year shall be filed with the Commission on or before the 1st day of August, 1992. Each applicant requesting an organization license to conduct horse racing with the pari-mutuel system of wagering shall include with each application a nonrefundable license fee equal to the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for each race meeting and Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for each racing day requested. Provided, the fee for Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) shall be waived for applicants applying pursuant to the provisions of Section 208.2 of this title. Each applicant requesting an organization license to conduct horse racing without the pari-mutuel system of wagering or to conduct accredited work or training races shall include with each application a nonrefundable license fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each race meeting. Such fee shall be in the form of a certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the Commission. Within thirty (30) days after the date specified for filing, the Commission shall examine the applications for compliance with the provisions of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Act and such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Commission. If any application does not comply with the provisions of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Act or the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission, the application may be rejected or the Commission may direct the applicant to comply with the provisions of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission within a reasonable time as determined by the Commission. Upon proof by the applicant of compliance, the Commission may reconsider the application. If it is found to be in compliance with the provisions of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission, the Commission may then issue an organization license to the applicant.

B. The Commission may exercise discretion in the issuing of organization licenses to qualified applicants. The Commission may also determine and grant racing dates different from those requested by the applicants in their applications.

C. The Commission may determine and grant the number of racing days to be allotted to each applicant. When granting organization licenses and allocating dates for race meetings which will, in the judgment of the Commission, be conducive to the best interests of the public and the sport of horse racing, the Commission shall give consideration to:

1. The character, reputation, experience, and financial integrity of each applicant and of any other person that:

a.directly or indirectly controls such applicant, or

b.is directly or indirectly controlled by such applicant or by a person who directly or indirectly controls such applicant; and

2. The facilities and accommodations of the applicant for the conduct of race meetings; and

3. The location of the race meeting of the applicant in relation to the principal centers of population of this state; and

4. The highest prospective total revenue to be derived by the state from the conduct of the race meeting.

D. Prior to the issuance of an organization license to conduct pari-mutuel race meetings, the applicant shall file with the Commission a bond payable to the State of Oklahoma in an amount determined by the Commission which is not less than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) and not more than the total financial liability of the organization licensee throughout the race meeting for which the organization license is requested, executed by the applicant and a surety company or companies authorized to do business in this state, and conditioned upon the payment by the organization licensee of all taxes and other monies due and payable pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Act and all purses due and payable, and upon the fact that, upon presentation of winning tickets, the organization licensee will distribute all sums due to the patrons of pari-mutuel pools. The financial liabilities incurred by the organization licensee in the form of real estate mortgages shall not be included in the determination of the bond amount.

E. The Commission shall notify each applicant of the racing dates allotted to such applicant. The notice shall be in writing and sent by registered mail to the applicant at the address stated in the application. The notice shall be mailed within two (2) business days of the date the allotment is made. After the mailing of such notice of allotment, each applicant shall file with the Commission within ten (10) days an acceptance of such allotment on a form prescribed and furnished by the Commission.

F. Each organization license shall specify the name of the person to whom it is issued, the dates upon which horse racing is permitted, and the location, place, track, or enclosure where the race meeting is to be held.

G. All employees of an organization licensee shall be citizens of the United States, and not less than ninety percent (90%) of such employees shall be residents of this state for not less than eighteen (18) months immediately preceding such employment.

H. All horse racing conducted pursuant to the provisions of an organization license is subject to the provisions of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Act and of the rules, regulations and directives promulgated by the Commission, and every organization license issued by the Commission shall contain a statement to that effect.

I. Any organization licensee may provide, with prior approval by the Commission, that at least one horse race a day may be devoted to the racing of a type of horse which is different from the type of horse being raced in the other races conducted by the organization licensee on that day. When scheduled races are trial heats for futurities or stakes races electronically timed from the starting gates, no organization licensee shall move the starting gates or allow the starting gates to be moved until all trial heats are complete, except in an emergency as determined by the stewards.

J. Organization licenses may be revoked if the organization licensee or any person owning an interest in the organization licensee:

1. Violates any provision of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Act; or

2. Violates any provision of the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Act; or

3. Has been convicted of a felony; or

4. Has been convicted of violating any law regarding gambling or controlled dangerous substances of the United States, this state, or any other state; or

5. Has failed to disclose or has stated falsely any information contained in the application; or

6. Has concealed in whole or in part the true ownership of the organization licensee.

Any organization license revocation proceeding shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of Sections 302 through 323 of Title 75 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

K. The fees received by the Commission pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be apportioned to the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission Operational Expenses Revolving Fund.

L. The provisions of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Act and rules promulgated by the Commission shall apply to an organization licensee during the entire calendar year in which the license was issued.

Added by Laws 1983, c. 11, § 19, emerg. eff. March 22, 1983. Amended by Laws 1984, c. 203, § 2, operative July 1, 1984; Laws 1985, c. 196, § 6, emerg. eff. June 26, 1985; Laws 1986, c. 223, § 13, operative July 1, 1986; Laws 1987, c. 208, § 70, operative July 1, 1987; Laws 1987, c. 236, § 89, emerg. eff. July 20, 1987; Laws 1989, c. 369, § 102, emerg. eff. June 6, 1989; Laws 1991, c. 269, § 8, eff. July 1, 1991; Laws 1992, c. 16, § 5, emerg. eff. March 26, 1992; Laws 1992, c. 364, § 18, emerg. eff. June 4, 1992; Laws 2017, c. 116, § 4, eff. July 1, 2017.