A Request for Public Comment: Health and Pension Distribution from the Race Horse Development Fund
- November 14, 2024
- by Connor Donahue
- 0 comments
Pursuant to G.L. c.23K, §60(c)(iii) the Massachusetts Gaming Commission must determine what portion, if any, of the 4% health and pension distribution from the Race Horse Development Fund shall be paid by the respective horsemen’s organizations which receive the funds to active and disabled thoroughbred jockeys or standardbred drivers for health insurance, life insurance or other benefits.
The Commission hereby requests public comment from any interested party or stakeholder relative to how much funding, if any, it should direct for such purposes. Specifically, information as to how the 4% is currently being distributed by the horsemen’s organizations, what funds are received by those organizations and the jockeys/drivers from other sources, how many jockeys/drivers would benefit from such funding, and any other relevant information would be helpful to the Commission in making its determination.
For complete wording of the statute, please click here.
Please email comments to mgccomments@massgaming.gov with ‘RHDF Jockey and Driver Benefits’ in the subject line by the close of business on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. The Commission will review any comments received and such comments will be made public. The topic is expected to be discussed and voted on by the Commission at its public meeting on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
About the Race Horse Development Fund:
The Race Horse Development Fund was established as part of the expanded gaming act which legalized casino gaming so as to produce broad-based economic development, including jobs and revenue in the horse racing industry. Per G.L. c.23K, portions of the gross gaming revenue from the casinos fund the RHDF. This is divided between the Standardbred and Thoroughbred industries, with 80% going to purses, 16% to breeders, and 4% to the horsemen for health and other benefits.
To learn more about the 2023 Race Horse Development Fund and its regulations, click here.