AB 509 Signed by Governor

SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Jerome E. Horton (D-Inglewood) announced Tuesday
that Assembly Bill 509, which allows the California horse racing industry to market its sport across the world, has been signed by Governor Schwarzenegger.

AB 509 allows a Thoroughbred or fair association to distribute the audiovisual signal and accept wagers on the results of out-of-country races (Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong) when a Thoroughbred racetrack or fair is conducting a live race meeting in California.

"Allowing a racing association or fair to import out-of-country races will give California racetracks a marketing tool and leverage with tracks outside of the United States. The bill will generate additional revenue for purses and breeder's incentives which I hope will entice owners and breeders to stay in California," said Horton.

"In the face of competition from other racing jurisdictions and gaming enterprises, it is essential that California's horse racing industry begin to look at its core business in a global manner. This bill will help to restore California as a place where the best horses race, the best trainers and the best jockeys compete.”