N.Y. Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law Section 203
Right to hold race meetings and races

Any corporation formed under the provisions of this article, if so claimed in its certificate of organization, and if it shall comply with all the provisions of this article, and any other corporation entitled to the benefits and privileges of this article as hereinafter provided, shall have the power and the right to hold one or more running race meetings in each year, and to hold, maintain and conduct running races at such meetings. At such running race meetings the corporation, or the owners of horses engaged in such races, or others who are not participants in the race, may contribute purses, prizes, premiums or stakes to be contested for, but no person or persons other than the owner or owners of a horse or horses contesting in a race shall have any pecuniary interest in a purse, prize, premium or stake contested for in such race, or be entitled to or receive any portion thereof after such race is finished, and the whole of such purse, prize, premium or stake shall be allotted in accordance with the terms and conditions of such race. Races conducted by a franchised corporation shall be permitted only between sunrise and sunset. A track first licensed after January first, nineteen hundred ninety, shall not conduct the simulcasting of thoroughbred races within district one, in accordance with article 10 (Simulcast of Horse Races)article ten of this chapter on days that a franchised corporation is not conducting a race meeting. In no event shall thoroughbred races conducted by a track first licensed after January first, nineteen hundred ninety be conducted after eight o’clock post meridian.

Source: Section 203 — Right to hold race meetings and races, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/PML/203 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 17, 2026).

201
Incorporation 202
Restriction upon commencement of business 202–A
Liability of the directors of a franchised corporation 202–B
No debt of the state 203
Right to hold race meetings and races 204
Certificate of payment of stock 205
License for running races and steeplechase meetings 206
Franchise for running races and steeplechase meetings 207
Board of directors of a franchised corporation 208
Conditions of franchise award 209
Examination of the books and accounts by the state comptroller 210
Franchise termination 210–A
Relinquishment of franchise 211
Fair association, when entitled to privileges 212
Franchise oversight board 213
Project labor agreements 214
Acquisition of racing facilities 216
Disposition of racing facilities or certain assets 217
Revocation of licenses 218
Stewards at race meetings 219
Advertising or promotional material 220
Licenses for participants and employees at race meetings 220–A
Corporations continued 221
New York Jockey Injury Compensation Fund, Inc 221–A
Health insurance for jockeys 221–B
Health insurance for trainers 222
Notice to be posted upon grounds 223
Special police officers 224
Penalty for unlawful racing and betting 225
Registration of race horses 226
Increased or additional entrance fees 228
Pension plans for backstretch employees 229
Backstretch employees drug and alcohol rehabilitation eligibility 230
Membership in a national thoroughbred racing association 231
Pari-mutuel betting on horse races legalized 232
License to conduct pari-mutuel betting at race meetings for running races or steeplechases 233
Bond required of corporation conducting pari-mutuel betting 234
Place and manner of conducting pari-mutuel betting 235
Rules for the conduct of pari-mutuel betting 236
Disposition of pari-mutuel pools 237
Capital improvements 238
Disposition of pari-mutuel pools of the franchised corporation 239
Books and records of pari-mutuel betting 240
Yearly audit 241
Disposition of unpaid money due on account of pari-mutuel tickets not presented 242
Races for horses bred in the state 243
Free or reduced fee passes, cards or badges 244
Revocation of license or franchise 245
Hearing on refusal or revocation of license or franchise 246
Approval of plans of corporation 247
Racing zones 248
Racing season 249
Pari-mutuel employees to be citizens and residents 250
Power of commission to impose penalties 251
Definitions 252
New York state thoroughbred breeding and development fund 253
Powers of the fund 254
Resources of fund 255
Annual audit 256
Annual report 257
Actions against fund
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
Jan. 17, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 203. Right to hold race meetings & races's source at nysenate​.gov

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