§ 1000. Legislative intent. The legislature finds that the racing, breeding and pari-mutuel wagering industry is an important sector of the agricultural economy of this state, provides substantial revenue for state and local governments, and employs tens of thousands of state residents.

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The legislature further determines that simulcasting, the simultaneous telecast of live audio and visual signals of horse races on which pari-mutuel betting is permitted, holds the potential to strengthen and further these economic contributions and that it is in the best interest of the state to encourage experimentation with such live telecasts.

The purpose of such experimentation shall be to determine if that technology can promote the overall growth of the industry resulting in additional revenues for the support of the racing associations and corporations, purses, breeders, off-track betting corporations, labor and government.

No simulcasts shall be authorized which jeopardize present racing or employment opportunities or which infringe on current operations or markets of the racetracks and the regional off-track betting corporations which generate significant revenues for local governments in the state.

Accordingly, the legislature hereby authorizes experimentation with the telecasts of horse races, on which pari-mutuel wagering shall be permitted, under the regulation of the commission in the manner and subject to the conditions provided in this article.