§183. Contracts between licensees and permittees licensed to race horses at race meetings
conducted in the state
A. The monies to be distributed as purses to permittees licensed to race horses in
Louisiana and the monies to be distributed to the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective
Association for the use and benefit of such permittees, their employees, and others, for
hospital and medical benefits and for the administrative expenses in providing these benefits
shall be and include:
(1)An amount to be not less than fifty percent of a licensee's commission of the
gross pari-mutuel handle retained by it from each race at a licensed race meeting in this state
as provided by this Chapter, after all fees required by law have been deducted, plus
(2)The total amount earned by a licensee for pur
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§183. Contracts between licensees and permittees licensed to race horses at race meetings
conducted in the state
A. The monies to be distributed as purses to permittees licensed to race horses in
Louisiana and the monies to be distributed to the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective
Association for the use and benefit of such permittees, their employees, and others, for
hospital and medical benefits and for the administrative expenses in providing these benefits
shall be and include:
(1) An amount to be not less than fifty percent of a licensee's commission of the
gross pari-mutuel handle retained by it from each race at a licensed race meeting in this state
as provided by this Chapter, after all fees required by law have been deducted, plus
(2) The total amount earned by a licensee for purse supplements under R.S. 4:217
since the completion of its previous meeting as of the first day of the race meeting covered
by this Subsection, plus
(3) The total amount earned by a licensee for purse supplements under R.S. 4:217
during the race meeting covered by this Subsection.
(4) The total of Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) shall be allocated by the licensee in not
less than the following percentages thereof:
(a) Ninety-six percent thereof to such permittees as purses.
(b) Four percent thereof to the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association
for the use and benefit of such permittees, their employees, and others as medical and
hospital benefits with an amount not to exceed thirty percent aforesaid of the commissions
and amounts received by the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to be used
for administrative expenses and other costs necessary to provide the benefits.
(c) The total of the revenues received by the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective
Association under the provisions of Subparagraph (b) hereof, together with all expenditures
made therefrom, shall be published and reported quarterly by it to horsemen actively racing
in the state.
B.(1) Monies due as purses to persons licensed to race horses at race meetings
conducted in the state as a result of conditions outlined in Subsection A of this Section and
the monies due to the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association pursuant to the
provisions of Subparagraph (A)(4)(b) of this Section shall be allocated and distributed during
the race meeting at which earned, including any donations by the association for horse
aftercare as defined in R.S. 3:2438.1.
(2) In the event the amount distributed as purses is more than the amount required
by Subsection A of this Section, the overpayment shall be carried forward to the next race
meeting conducted by the same association. It shall be carried on the association books as
an asset unless and until the overpayment is remitted to the Horsemen's Benevolent and
Protective Association pursuant to R.S. 4:183.2. If remitted to the Horsemen's Benevolent
and Protective Association, the overpayment shall be carried on the Horsemen's Benevolent
and Protective Association books as an asset.
(3) In the event the amount distributed as purses to persons licensed to race horses
at thoroughbred race meetings conducted in the state is less than the amount required by this
Section, and more than an amount equal to two times the average daily purse distribution at
the thoroughbred race meeting at which generated, it shall be delivered to the Horsemen's
Benevolent and Protective Association for further distribution to persons having earned
monies during the meeting, in the direct proportion that the underpayment is to the monies
earned by that person at that meeting. In the event the underpayment is less than an amount
equal to two times the average daily purse distribution at that meeting, it shall be retained by
the association or the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association in an
interest-bearing account to be used for purses at the next thoroughbred meeting conducted
by that association. Interest earned on the account shall be added to the purse paid over and
above the amount required to be paid as purses by this Section.
(4) In the event the amount distributed as purses to persons licensed to race horses
at quarter horse race meetings conducted in the state is less than the amount required by this
Section and more than an amount equal to two times the average daily purse distribution at
the quarter horse race meeting at which generated, it shall be delivered to the Horsemen's
Benevolent and Protective Association for further distribution to persons having earned
monies during the meeting, in the direct proportion that the underpayment is to the monies
earned by that person at that meeting. In the event the underpayment is less than an amount
equal to two times the average daily purse distribution at that meeting, it shall be retained by
the association or the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association in an
interest-bearing account to be used for purses at the next quarter horse meeting conducted
by that association. Interest earned on the account shall be added to the purse paid over and
above the amount required to be paid as purses by this Section.
(5) For the purposes of this Subsection, "average daily purse distribution" means all
sources of funds available for use as a purse or purse supplement that are required by law to
be distributed during a race meeting.
C. For the purposes of this Section, "hospital and medical benefits" shall include but
not be limited to reasonable medical, surgical, hospitalization, and physical rehabilitation,
and dental and optical services, death benefits, drug and alcohol counseling, and other
spiritual, mental, and psychological services provided for the welfare of permittees, their
employees, and others. The term "hospital and medical benefits" shall also include one-time
benevolence payments to persons in the equine industry who are in financial need as a result
of serious illness or injury, fire, or natural disaster, including but not limited to hurricane,
tornado, or flood.
Added by Acts 1977, No. 436, §1, eff. July 11, 1977. Amended by Acts 1982, No.
228, §2, eff. July 15, 1982; Acts 1984, No. 197, §1, eff. June 28, 1984; Acts 1988, No. 794,
§1; Acts 1990, No. 612, §1, eff. July 19, 1990; Acts 2001, No. 566, §1; Acts 2012, No. 517,
§1; Acts 2013, No. 342, §1; Acts 2018, No. 575, §2, eff. May 23, 2018; Acts 2019, No. 328,
§2; Acts 2023, No. 261, §1.