1. Whenever any association or corporation has been or shall be granted a permit to hold or conduct a horse race meeting, no person shall in any manner become the owner or holder, directly or indirectly, of any shares of stock or certificates or other evidence of ownership comprising a five percent or greater interest in such association or corporation without first having obtained the approval of the commission therefor; and the commission may, after hearing, revoke such permit granted to any corporation or association which shall register on its books in the name of any person its shares of stock or certificates or other evidence of ownership of any such interest in such association or corporation without the approval of the commission having first been obtained, or which shall knowingly permit a person to be directly or indirectly interested in these shares of stock or certificates or other evidence of ownership of any interest in such association or corporation without reporting the same to the commission. Whenever the commission shall give to any person its approval to own or hold these shares of stock or certificates or other evidence of ownership of any such interest in any such association or corporation, it shall by registered mail notify the secretary of such association or corporation of such approval; provided, however, that under no circumstances shall the commission give such approval to any person who has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, or has violated any of the provisions of the racing laws of the State of New Jersey or any rule or regulation of the commission, or has at any time been denied a license or permit of any kind by the commission.

A person seeking approval of the commission to become the owner or holder, directly or indirectly, of any shares of stock or certificates or other evidence of ownership comprising a five percent or greater interest in such association or corporation shall submit the applicant’s name, address, and written consent to the executive director for a criminal history record background check to be performed. The executive director is authorized to receive criminal history record information from the State Bureau of Identification in the Division of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation consistent with applicable State and federal laws, rules and regulations. Upon receipt of such notification, the executive director shall make a determination regarding the eligibility of the current or prospective owner. The person seeking approval shall bear the cost for the criminal history record background check, including all costs of administering and processing the check. The Division of State Police shall promptly notify the executive director in the event the person seeking approval, who was the subject of a criminal history record background check pursuant to this section, is convicted of a crime or offense in this State after the date the background check was performed.

L.1946,c.167,s.1; amended 1954, c.238; 1983, c.254; 2003, c.199, s.3.