N.Y. Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law Section 205
License for running races and steeplechase meetings

Any non-franchised corporation desiring to obtain the benefits of the provisions of § 203 (Right to hold race meetings and races)section two hundred three of this article, if proposing to conduct a race course or race meeting for running races or steeplechases, may annually apply to the commission for a license to conduct running races and race meetings or steeplechases and steeplechase meetings, as the case may be. If, in the judgment of such commission the public interest, convenience or necessity will be served thereby and a proper case for the issuance of such license is shown consistent with the purposes of this article and the best interest of racing generally, the commission may grant such license, for a term within the calendar year, which shall specify the dates and period of time during which, and the place where, the licensee may operate. The fee for such license shall be one hundred dollars for each racing day, payable upon issuance of license. In considering an application for a license under this section, the commission may give consideration to the number of licenses already granted and to the location of the tracks previously licensed. Every such license shall contain a condition that all running races or race meetings conducted thereunder shall be subject to such reasonable rules and regulations from time to time prescribed by the commission, designated as the “rules of racing”. Before promulgating such rules of racing or modifying or abrogating any of them, the commission shall give the jockey club, a corporation organized under the laws of the state of New York, an opportunity to submit recommendations relative to such rules for running races and race meetings, and to the national steeplechase and hunt association, a corporation organized under the laws of the state of New York, an opportunity to submit recommendations relative to such rules for steeplechases and steeplechase meetings, and the commission may adopt, to the extent that it deems appropriate, any rules so submitted by either of such corporations or by any other nationally recognized association or corporation that has for its purpose the improvement of the breed.

Source: Section 205 — License for running races and steeplechase meetings, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/PML/205 (updated Oct. 16, 2020; accessed Feb. 28, 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:
Feb. 28, 2026

Last modified:
Oct. 16, 2020

§ 205. License for running races & steeplechase meetings's source at nysenate​.gov

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