Racing and Community Development Act, sports betting pass General Assembly

The Racing and Community Development Act of 2020, which authorizes financing for the rebuild of Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, cleared the Maryland General Assembly March 18—the final day of an abbreviated session—and goes to Gov. Larry Hogan for consideration.
The legislation calls for the Maryland Stadium Authority to issue up to $375 million in bonds for the project through a combination of funds from the Racetrack Facility Renewal Account, the Purse Dedication Account, video lottery terminal payments to Baltimore City and money from the Maryland Lottery. The Act would take effect June 1 of this year.
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At its September 9 open Board meeting, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (MTHA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to increase the purse allocation for finishers from 6th place through last in overnight races. The payout, which had been fixed at $300 since April 2022, will now rise to $500, effective immediately.

Maryland horsemen have emerged as meaningful beneficiaries of the collaborative dual-state stakes schedule and new bonus incentives, according to statistics covering the period from June 21 through August 23 of this year.