Background

(1) Under St. 2001, c. 139, § 9(h), all pari-mutuel taxes paid to the commission… all assessments, association license fees, occupational license fees, fines, penalties and miscellaneous revenues, other than unclaimed wagers, paid to the commission shall be deposited in a separate account under the control and supervision of the commission. This money is to be expended in the order of priority specified in the law, as follows: (a) To provide and pay local aid to respective host communities under M.G.L. c. 58, § 18D. (b) To set aside an amount to fund the annual budget of the state racing commission. (c) To pay any amount specifically funded under any general or special law. (d) To pay $80,000 to an organization to provide social services to stable and backstretch workers employed at the running horse licensee in Suffolk county, $20,000 for economic assistance to any person employed at the running horse licensee in Suffolk county, and $65,000 to an organization that represents the majority of jockeys licensed in the commonwealth for the purpose of providing health and other welfare benefits to jockeys. (e) To pay $130,000 to a compulsive gambling organization. (f) To pay the remaining revenues credited during any calendar year to all the racing licensees, up to but not exceeding $4,500,000, to the purse accounts of the licensees. Any amount in excess of $4,500,000 shall be deposited in the General Fund. (2) In accordance with St. 2001, c. 139, §9(h)(6), the amount credited to each licensee’s purse account shall be based on a formula established by the commission. These rules and regulations are intended to establish the formula and regulations regarding the distribution of these funds.