(a) Pari-mutuel betting permitted. The department may permit at racing events, exhibitions of the game of jai alai licensed under the provisions of this chapter or at off-track betting facilities, betting under a pari-mutuel system, so called, including standard pari-mutuel, daily double, exacta, quinella, trifecta, superfecta, twin trifecta, pick four and pick six betting, and such other forms of multiple betting as the department may determine.

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Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 12-575

  • another: may extend and be applied to communities, companies, corporations, public or private, limited liability companies, societies and associations. See Connecticut General Statutes 1-1
  • Business organization: means a partnership, incorporated or unincorporated association, firm, corporation, trust or other form of business or legal entity, other than a financial institution regulated by a state or federal agency which is not exercising control over an association licensee, but does not mean a governmental or sovereign entity. See Connecticut General Statutes 12-557b
  • Commissioner: means the Commissioner of Consumer Protection. See Connecticut General Statutes 12-557b
  • Department: means the Department of Consumer Protection. See Connecticut General Statutes 12-557b
  • Devise: To gift property by will.
  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
  • legislative body: means : (1) As applied to unconsolidated towns, the town meeting. See Connecticut General Statutes 1-1
  • month: means a calendar month, and the word "year" means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed. See Connecticut General Statutes 1-1
  • person: means any individual, partnership, company, limited liability company, public or private corporation, society, association, trustee, executor, administrator or other fiduciary or custodian. See Connecticut General Statutes 12-1
  • succeeding: when used by way of reference to any section or sections, mean the section or sections next preceding, next following or next succeeding, unless some other section is expressly designated in such reference. See Connecticut General Statutes 1-1

(b) Operation of pari-mutuel system. The pari-mutuel system, so called, shall not be used or permitted at any location other than the race track at which the racing event is licensed to be conducted or the fronton at which the game of jai alai is licensed to be played or at an off-track betting facility operated by the department or by a licensee authorized to operate the off-track betting system. A computerized electronic totalizator system, approved by the commissioner, shall be used to conduct pari-mutuel wagering at each racing or jai alai event. A computerized electronic totalizator system approved by the commissioner and, where authorized by subsection (b) of § 12-571a, and approved by the commissioner, a simulcast system shall be used to conduct pari-mutuel wagering and simulcasting of off-track betting race programs at off-track betting facilities. The commissioner may require any licensee to submit information concerning the daily operation of such totalizator or simulcast system which he deems necessary for the effective administration of this chapter, including records of all wagering transactions, in such form and manner as he shall prescribe.

(c) Takeout. Purses, capital improvements and promotional marketing for dog racing. (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, each licensee conducting horse racing events under the pari-mutuel system shall distribute all sums deposited in any pari-mutuel program to the holders of winning tickets therein, less seventeen per cent of the total deposits plus the breakage to the dime of the amount so retained; each licensee conducting jai alai events shall distribute all sums deposited in any pari-mutuel program to the holders of winning tickets therein, less a maximum of eighteen per cent of the deposits in the win, place or show pools and less a maximum of twenty-three per cent of the deposits in all other pools plus the breakage to the dime of the amount so retained; each licensee conducting dog racing events shall distribute all sums deposited in any pari-mutuel program to the holders of winning tickets therein, less a maximum of nineteen per cent of the deposits in the win, place or show pools and less a maximum of twenty-seven per cent of the deposits in all other pools plus the breakage to the dime of the amount so retained, or, shall distribute all sums deposited in all of its pari-mutuel programs conducted on any day to the holders of winning tickets therein less twenty per cent of the total deposits plus the breakage to the dime of the amount so retained, provided on and after July 1, 1992, each licensee conducting dog racing events on July 5, 1991, shall allocate four per cent of all sums deposited in any pari-mutuel program to purses, one-quarter of one per cent to capital expenditures for alterations, additions, replacement changes, improvements or major repairs to or upon the property owned or leased by any such licensee and used for such racing events, and one-quarter of one per cent to promotional marketing, to reduce the costs of admission, programs, parking and concessions and to offer entertainment and giveaways. Each licensee conducting dog racing events shall, on an annual basis, submit to the department certified financial statements verifying the use of such allocations for purses, capital improvements and promotional marketing. (2) Each licensee conducting racing or jai alai events may carry over all or a portion of the sums deposited in any pari-mutuel program, less the amount retained as herein provided, in the twin trifecta, pick four or pick six pari-mutuel pool to another pool, including a pool in a succeeding performance.

(d) Tax: Horse racing. Each licensee conducting horse racing events under the pari-mutuel system shall pay to the state, and there is hereby imposed: (1) A tax on the total money wagered in the pari-mutuel pool on each and every day the licensee conducts racing events, pursuant to the following schedule:

Total Wagered

Tax

   0 to $100,001

3.25% on the entire pool

$100,001 to $200,001 

3.75% on the entire pool

$200,001 to $300,001 

4.25% on the entire pool

$300,001 to $400,001 

4.75% on the entire pool

$400,001 to $500,001 

5.25% on the entire pool

$500,001 to $600,001 

5.75% on the entire pool

$600,001 to $700,001 

6.25% on the entire pool

$700,001 to $800,001 

6.75% on the entire pool

$800,001 to $900,001 

7.25% on the entire pool

$900,001 to $1,000,001 

7.75% on the entire pool

$1,000,001 and over  

8.75% on the entire pool

and (2) a tax equal to one-half of the breakage to the dime resulting from such wagering. The commissioner shall by regulation adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 designate the percentage of the difference between the seventeen per cent specified in subsection (c) of this section and the tax specified in this subsection, which shall be allocated as prize or purse money for the horses racing at each facility.

(e) Tax: Dog racing. Each licensee conducting dog racing events under the pari-mutuel system shall pay to the state, and there is hereby imposed: (1) (A) A tax at the rate of two per cent on the total money wagered in the pari-mutuel pool on each and every day the licensee conducts racing events or (B) on or after July 1, 1993, in the case of any licensee licensed prior to July 5, 1991, (i) a tax at the rate of two per cent on any amount up to and including fifty million dollars of the total money wagered in the pari-mutuel pool in any state fiscal year during which a licensee licensed prior to July 5, 1991, conducts racing events, (ii) a tax at the rate of three per cent on any amount in excess of fifty million dollars and up to and including eighty million dollars of the total money wagered in the pari-mutuel pool in any state fiscal year during which a licensee licensed prior to July 5, 1991, conducts racing events, and (iii) a tax at the rate of four per cent on any amount in excess of eighty million dollars of the total money wagered in the pari-mutuel pool in any state fiscal year during which a licensee licensed prior to July 5, 1991, conducts racing events, and (2) a tax equal to one-half of the breakage to the dime resulting from such wagering.

(f) Tax: Jai alai. Each licensee operating a fronton at which the game of jai alai is licensed to be played under the pari-mutuel system shall pay to the state and there is hereby imposed: (1) (A) A tax at the rate of two per cent on any amount up to and including fifty million dollars of the total money wagered on such games, (B) a tax at the rate of three per cent of any amount in excess of fifty million dollars and up to and including eighty million dollars of the total money wagered on such games, and (C) a tax at the rate of four per cent on any amount in excess of eighty million dollars of the total money wagered on such games, and (2) a tax equal to one-half of the breakage to the dime resulting from such wagering.

(g) Tax: Off-track betting. The licensee authorized to operate the system of off-track betting under the pari-mutuel system shall pay to the state and there is hereby imposed: (1) A tax at the rate of three and one-half per cent on the total money wagered in the pari-mutuel pool on each and every day the licensee broadcasts racing events, and (2) a tax equal to one-half of the breakage to the dime resulting from such wagering.

(h) Tax: Assessment and payment. The commissioner shall assess and collect the taxes imposed by this chapter under such regulations as he may prescribe, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. All taxes hereby imposed shall be due and payable by the close of the next banking day after each day’s racing or jai alai exhibition. If any such tax is not paid when due, the commissioner shall impose a delinquency assessment upon the licensee in the amount of ten per cent of such tax or ten dollars, whichever amount is greater, plus interest at the rate of one and one-half per cent of the unpaid principal of such tax for each month or fraction of a month from the date such tax is due to the date of payment. Subject to the provisions of § 12-3a, the commissioner may waive all or part of the penalties provided under this subsection when it is proven to his satisfaction that the failure to pay such tax within the time required was due to reasonable cause and was not intentional or due to neglect. Failure to pay any such delinquent tax upon demand may be considered by the commissioner as cause for revocation of license.

(i) Accounting. The commissioner shall devise a system of accounting and shall supervise betting at such track, fronton or off-track betting facility in such manner that the rights of the state are protected and shall collect all fees and licenses under such regulations as he shall prescribe, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(j) Unclaimed moneys. The amount of unclaimed moneys, as determined by the commissioner, held by any licensee other than by licensees authorized to operate a jai alai fronton, dog race track or the off-track betting system on account of outstanding and uncashed winning tickets, shall be due and payable to the commissioner, for deposit in the General Fund of the state, at the expiration of one year after the close of the meeting during which such tickets were issued. If any such unclaimed moneys are not paid when due, the commissioner shall impose a delinquency assessment upon the licensee in the amount of ten per cent of such moneys or ten dollars, whichever amount is greater, plus interest at the rate of one and one-half per cent of the unpaid principal of such moneys for each month or fraction of a month from the date such moneys are due to the date of payment. Subject to the provisions of § 12-3a, the commissioner may waive all or part of the penalties provided under this subsection when it is proven to his satisfaction that the failure to pay such moneys to the state within the time required was due to reasonable cause and was not intentional or due to neglect.

(k) Inspection. The commissioner may authorize deputies and the Commissioner of Revenue Services or his agents are authorized to enter upon the premises at any racing event, jai alai exhibition or off-track betting race event for the purpose of inspecting books and records, supervising and examining cashiers, ticket sellers, pool sellers and other persons handling money at said event and such other supervision as may be necessary for the maintenance of order at such event.

(l) Payments to municipalities. (1) The commissioner shall pay each municipality in which a horse race track is located, one-quarter of one per cent of the total money wagered on horse racing events at such race track, except the commissioner shall pay each such municipality having a population in excess of fifty thousand one per cent of the total money wagered at such horse racing events in such municipality. The commissioner shall pay each municipality in which a jai alai fronton or dog race track is located one-half of one per cent of the total money wagered on jai alai games or dog racing events at such fronton or dog race track, except the commissioner shall pay each such municipality having a population in excess of fifty thousand one per cent of the total money wagered on jai alai games or dog racing events at such fronton or dog race track located in such municipality. The commissioner shall pay each municipality in which an off-track betting facility is located one and three-fifths per cent of the total money wagered in such facility less amounts paid as refunds or for cancellations. The commissioner shall pay to both the city of New Haven and the town of Windsor Locks an additional one-half of one per cent of the total money wagered less any amount paid as a refund or a cancellation in any facility equipped with screens for simulcasting after October 1, 1997, located within a fifteen-mile radius of facilities in New Haven and Windsor Locks. Payment shall be made not less than four times a year and not more than twelve times a year as determined by the commissioner, and shall be made from the tax imposed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section for horse racing, subsection (e) of this section for dog racing, subsection (f) of this section for jai alai games and subsection (g) of this section for off-track betting. (2) If, for any calendar year after the surrender of a license to conduct jai alai events by any person or business organization pursuant to subsection (c) of § 12-574c and prior to the opening of any dog race track by such person or business organization, any other person or business organization licensed to conduct jai alai events is authorized to conduct a number of performances greater than the number authorized for such licensee in the previous calendar year, the commissioner shall pay the municipality in which the jai alai fronton for which such license was surrendered was located, rather than the municipality in which the jai alai fronton conducting the increased performances is located, one-half of one per cent of the total money wagered on jai alai games for such increased performances at the fronton which conducted the additional performances, except the commissioner shall pay each such municipality having a population in excess of fifty thousand one per cent of the total money wagered on jai alai games for such increased performances at such fronton. (3) During any state fiscal year ending on or after June 30, 1993, the commissioner shall pay each municipality in which a dog race track was operating prior to July 5, 1991, one per cent of the total money wagered on dog racing events at such dog race track. (4) During the state fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, each municipality in which a dog race track was operating prior to July 5, 1991, shall pay the Northeast Connecticut Economic Alliance, Inc. two-tenths of one per cent of the total money wagered on dog racing events at any dog race track operating prior to July 5, 1991. (5) In the event a licensee incurs a loss from the operation of a pari-mutuel facility, as determined by the commissioner, the legislative body of the city or town in which such facility is located may direct the commissioner to credit or rebate all or a part of the revenue otherwise due to the municipality back to the facility. In no case shall such credit and such reimbursement exceed the amount of the licensee’s loss, and in no fiscal year shall these provisions affect the total fees paid to the state by the authorized operator of the off-track betting system on its off-track betting activities.