Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 562 - Regulation of racing and on-track pari-mutuel wagering.
562.05 - Licenses.

562.05 Licenses.
(1) No person may engage in any of the following activities without a valid annual license issued by the department:
(a) The ownership and operation of a racetrack at which pari-mutuel wagering is conducted.
(b) The sponsorship and management of any race on which pari-mutuel wagering is conducted and which is not located at a fair.
(c) The sponsorship and management of any horse race on which pari-mutuel wagering is conducted and which is located at a fair.
(d) Any occupation required to be licensed under s. 562.02 (1) (am) or determined by the department under s. 562.02 (1) (am) to require a license.
(e) The conduct of intertrack wagering.
(1b) The department shall approve and conduct an examination to be administered to all applicants for a license under sub. (1) (d) to be a horse trainer. No license may be issued under sub. (1) (d) to a horse trainer unless the department determines that the applicant for the license is qualified as evidenced by the applicant's performance on the examination conducted under this subsection.
(1c) If the applicant for a license under this section is an individual, the department may not issue or renew a license if the individual has not provided his or her social security number, unless the individual does not have a social security number and the applicant submits a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation as required under sub. (1e). If the applicant for a license under this section is not an individual, the department may not issue or renew a license if the person has not provided the person's federal employer identification number.
(1e) If an applicant for a license under this section is an individual who does not have a social security number, the applicant shall submit to the department with his or her application a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department of children and families. A license issued in reliance upon a false statement submitted under this subsection is invalid.
(1g) A license issued under sub. (1) (a) may authorize the ownership and operation of a racetrack where horse racing is conducted, the ownership and operation of a racetrack not at a fair where dog racing is conducted or the ownership and operation of a racetrack not at a fair where both horse racing and dog racing are conducted. A license issued under sub. (1) (b) may authorize the sponsorship and management of horse races or dog races, or both horse races and dog races, at the same location.
(1m) The department may not issue a license under sub. (1) (a) to (c) except after a public hearing.
(2) The department shall establish, by rule, the qualifications for any license required under sub. (1) and fix the fee for that license and any background investigation under sub. (7) related to that license. Any moneys received under this subsection shall be credited to the appropriation accounts under ss. 20.455 (2) (g) and 20.505 (8) (g).
(2m) In issuing a license to own and operate a racetrack not at a fair, the department shall consider the competitive effects on any other licensee under sub. (1) (a) or (b). These competitive effects shall include, but not be restricted to, the impact on the economic viability of existing licensed racetracks and the jobs that have been created by such licensed racetracks.
(3) No person may hold more than one license issued under sub. (1) (a) and one license issued under sub. (1) (b) or (c). If the applicant for any of those licenses is a corporation, association, limited liability company or partnership, the department shall determine whether the applicant is the same person as another licensee for the purpose of applying this subsection. Nothing in this subsection prohibits any person with a license under sub. (1) from contracting for services with any other person with a license under sub. (1), subject to any rules promulgated by the department.
(3m) The department may not accept an application for a license for a race under sub. (1) (c) unless the county board of the county in which that race will be conducted has approved the applicant's sponsorship and management of that race.
(3r) The application for the first license under sub. (1) (a) to be issued for any location shall be accompanied by a resolution, supporting the proposed location of the racetrack and its ownership and operation by the applicant, which has been adopted, after a public hearing, by the governing body of the city, village or town where the racetrack is proposed to be located. A common council may not adopt such a resolution if an ordinance prohibiting the location of a racetrack at the proposed location has been adopted under s. 9.20 before May 3, 1988, or a petition for such an ordinance has been filed, under s. 9.20, before May 3, 1988. Except as provided in this subsection, no ordinance adopted under s. 9.20 or 66.0101 may prohibit the location of a racetrack in any city or village.
(3w) Except as provided under subs. (3) to (3r), the department may issue a license under sub. (1) (a) if the department determines that all of the following conditions are met:
(a) At least 51 percent of the ownership interest in the racetrack is held by residents of this state.
(b) The license will not adversely affect the public health, welfare and safety.
(c) The racetrack will be operated in accordance with applicable laws.
(d) The applicant is qualified and financially able to operate a racetrack.
(3wmr) If the condition under sub. (2m) is relevant to its decision, the department may consider secondary economic impacts of an applicant's proposal for a racetrack if the applicant proves by a preponderance of evidence that the alleged secondary impacts will enhance the success of the applicant's proposed racetrack and the location of the proposed racetrack would compliment existing development with the overall effect of increasing tourism and generating state revenues from out-of-state residents.
(3wr) The first license issued to each applicant under sub. (1) (a) for each racetrack expires after 5 years. Any subsequent license issued to the same applicant for that racetrack expires after one year.
(3wt) In the first license issued to each applicant under sub. (1) (a) for each racetrack, the department shall specify a date by which each of the types of racing authorized under the license shall begin at that racetrack. Upon request of the licensee, the department may change a specified date to an earlier or later date pursuant to rules of the department.
(4) Any application for a license to sponsor and manage a race shall be accompanied by a bond, in an amount determined by the department, which shall be sufficient to guarantee the payment of fees, taxes and other money due, including animal owners' purses and payouts on winning wagers.
(4m) Except as provided in sub. (4), the department may issue a license under sub. (1) (b) if the department determines that all of the following conditions are met:
(a) The license will not adversely affect the public health, welfare and safety.
(b) The applicant will conduct races in accordance with applicable laws.
(c) The license will not create competition that will adversely affect any other licensee under sub. (1) (a) or (b).
(5)
(a) No license may be issued under sub. (1) to any person to whom any of the following applies:
1. The person is in default on any payment required under this chapter or under any rule promulgated under this chapter or under any law of any other state related to pari-mutuel wagering or racing.
2. The person has been convicted of a felony within 20 years preceding the date of application in a state or federal court for which he or she has not been pardoned and restored to full civil rights or has been charged with the violation of a state or federal law which is a felony if that charge has not been dismissed or settled in any other way.
3. The person is or has been connected with or engaged in any business which is prohibited under the laws of this or another state or of the United States.
4. The person has been convicted of fraud or misrepresentation in connection with racing or animal breeding.
5. The person has been convicted of a violation of any law of this or another state or of the United States related to racing, pari-mutuel wagering or of any other form of gambling which is a serious violation, as defined by the department by rule.
6. The person has knowingly violated a rule or order of the department relating to pari-mutuel racing or any provision of this chapter or of ch. 27, 182 or 945.
7. The person has been convicted of a violation of any law of this or another state or of the United States related to the humane treatment of animals, including any rule promulgated under s. 562.02 (1) (b) or 562.105.
8. The person has accepted public money to construct or operate a racetrack in Wisconsin. This subdivision does not apply to any racetrack operated in conjunction with a county fair.
9. The person is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse, or fails to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and relating to paternity or child support proceedings, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857.
10. The person is liable for delinquent taxes, as certified by the department of revenue under s. 73.0301. Any person for whom a license is not issued under this paragraph for delinquent taxes is entitled to a notice under s. 73.0301 (2) (b) 1. b. and a hearing under s. 73.0301 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section.
11. The person is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions, as certified by the department of workforce development under s. 108.227. Any person for whom a license is not issued under this paragraph for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions is entitled to a notice under s. 108.227 (2) (b) 1. b. and a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section.
(b)
1. Except as provided in subd. 4., if the applicant is a partnership, par. (a) applies to the partnership and each partner of the partnership.
1L. Except as provided in subd. 4., if the applicant is a limited liability company, par. (a) applies to the limited liability company and to each of its members.
2. Except as provided in subd. 4., if the applicant is an association, par. (a) applies to the association and each officer and director of the association.
3. Except as provided in subd. 4., if the applicant is a corporation, par. (a) applies to the corporation, each officer or director of the corporation and each owner, directly or indirectly, of any equity security or other ownership interest in the corporation.
3m. Except as provided in subd. 4., if the applicant for a license under sub. (1) (c) is a corporation, par. (a) applies to each officer and director of the corporation.
4. A restriction under par. (a) 2. to 8. does not apply to a partnership, limited liability company, association or corporation if the department determines that the partnership, association, limited liability company or corporation has terminated its relationship with each individual whose actions directly contributed to the application of that restriction to the partnership, association, limited liability company or corporation.
(c)
1. Every application for a license under sub. (1) shall be accompanied by an affidavit which states that the applicant and any partner, member, officer, director and owner subject to par. (a), as specified in par. (b), and any other person with a present or future direct or indirect financial or management interest in the application, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, meets the qualifications under par. (a).
2. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, if after the application for a license is made or a license is issued any new officer, director, partner, member or owner subject to par. (a), as specified in par. (b), or any other new person with a present or future direct or indirect financial or management interest in the application or license joins the applicant or licensee, the applicant or licensee shall, within 5 working days, notify the department of the change and provide the affidavit under subd. 1. After an application for a license under sub. (1) (a) or (b) is made or after a license under sub. (1) (a) or (b) is issued, no ownership interest or right of ownership in the applicant or licensee may be transferred unless the applicant or licensee provides the affidavit under subd. 1. for the proposed new owner and the proposed new owner is approved by the department. The department shall conduct the background investigations required under sub. (7) of any new officer, director, partner, member, shareholder or proposed owner of an applicant or licensee named in a notice to the department under this subdivision.
(6) Every application for a license to own and operate a racetrack or for a license to sponsor and manage a race shall include a statement setting forth the assets and liabilities of the applicant.
(6m)
(a)
1. An application for an intertrack wagering license shall identify each licensee under sub. (1) (b) on whose races the applicant proposes to conduct intertrack wagering and, except as provided in subd. 2., shall be accompanied by a statement, signed by each licensee that is identified in the application, giving consent to the applicant to conduct intertrack wagering on all races that are simulcast by the licensee during the licensee's race meeting.
2. A licensee under sub. (1) (b) who signs a statement specified in subd. 1. is considered to have given consent to all applicants for intertrack wagering licenses to conducting intertrack wagering on all races that are simulcast by the licensee during the licensee's race meeting, and no similar statements signed by that licensee need be filed by other applicants for intertrack wagering licenses who propose to conduct intertrack wagering on those races.
(b) The department may not issue an intertrack wagering license unless the department determines that all of the following conditions are met:
1. The applicant is licensed under sub. (1) (a) or (b).
2. At least 250 race performances were conducted at the racetrack for which the applicant is licensed under sub. (1) (a) or (b) during the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the applicant proposes to conduct intertrack wagering. The department may waive the requirement in this subdivision if the department determines that the waiver is in the public interest.
4. The granting of the intertrack wagering license will not adversely affect the public health, welfare or safety.
(c) In considering whether to grant an intertrack wagering license, the department shall give due consideration to the best interests of the public and to maximizing revenue to the state.
(d) On each intertrack wagering license that the department issues, the department shall identify the racetrack at which intertrack wagering may be conducted, the times and number of days or specific dates, as determined by the department, during which intertrack wagering may be conducted, and the host track from which the simulcast of each race performance on which intertrack wagering may be conducted shall originate.
(7)
(a) Except as provided under par. (ag), before the department issues a license under this section, the department, with the assistance of the department of justice, shall conduct a background investigation of the applicant for the license and of any of the following related to the applicant:
1. A partnership and each partner of the partnership.
1L. A limited liability company and each of its members.
2. An association and each officer and director of the association.
3. A corporation, each officer or director of the corporation and each owner, directly or indirectly, of any equity security or other ownership interest in the corporation.
(ag) Paragraph (a) applies to any person required under s. 562.02 (1) (am) to have a license except for any person determined by the department under s. 562.02 (1) (am) to require a license. Before the department issues a license to any person determined by the department under s. 562.02 (1) (am) to require a license, the department may, with the assistance of the department of justice, conduct a background investigation of the applicant for that license and of any of the following related to the applicant:
1. A partnership and each partner of the partnership.
1L. A limited liability company and each of its members.
2. An association and each officer and director of the association.
3. A corporation, each officer or director of the corporation and each owner, directly or indirectly, of any equity security or other ownership interest in the corporation.
(am)
1. The department shall require each person who is subject to an investigation under par. (a) and who is an individual to provide his or her social security number, unless the person is an individual who does not have a social security number and the person submits a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation as required under sub. (1e).
2. The department shall require each person who is subject to an investigation under par. (a) and who is not an individual to provide the person's federal employer identification number.
(b) The department shall require any person subject to an investigation under par. (a) to be photographed and fingerprinted on 2 fingerprint cards each bearing a complete set of that person's fingerprints. The department of justice may provide for the submission of the fingerprint cards to the federal bureau of investigation for the purpose of verifying the identity of that person and obtaining any record of that person's criminal arrests and convictions.
(bg) The department may require any person subject to an investigation under par. (ag) to be photographed and fingerprinted on 2 fingerprint cards each bearing a complete set of that person's fingerprints. The department of justice may provide for the submission of the fingerprint cards to the federal bureau of investigation for the purpose of verifying the identity of that person and obtaining any record of that person's criminal arrests and convictions.
(8)
(a) The department may revoke or suspend a license for good cause after notice and hearing under s. 227.44.
(b) The department shall permanently revoke the license of any licensee whom the department determines under par. (a) has administered a medication or foreign substance to an animal in violation of s. 562.09 (1).
(c) The department shall permanently revoke the license of any licensee who violates s. 562.105.
(d) If required in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857, the department shall suspend or restrict or not renew the license of any person who is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse or who has failed to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and relating to paternity or child support proceedings.
(e) The department shall revoke or not renew the license of any person who has been certified by the department of revenue under s. 73.0301 to be liable for delinquent taxes. Any person for whom a license is revoked or not renewed under this paragraph for delinquent taxes is entitled to a notice under s. 73.0301 (2) (b) 1. b. and a hearing under s. 73.0301 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section.
(f) The department shall revoke or not renew the license of any person who has been certified by the department of workforce development under s. 108.227 to be liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions. Any person for whom a license is revoked or not renewed under this paragraph for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions is entitled to a notice under s. 108.227 (2) (b) 1. b. and a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section.
(8m)
(a) If the applicant for any license is an individual, the department shall disclose his or her social security number to the department of children and families for the purpose of administering s. 49.22, to the department of revenue for the purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301, and to the department of workforce development for the purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227.
(b) If the applicant for any license is not an individual, the department shall disclose the person's federal employer identification number to the department of revenue for the purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301 and to the department of workforce development for the purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227.
(9)
(a) Every license issued under sub. (1) (b) or (c) shall set forth the time and number of days, or the specific dates, during which racing may be conducted under that license, as determined by the department.
(b) A license under sub. (1) (c) may authorize horse races on days on which the fair is conducted and for 2 additional periods not to exceed 5 days each. Either or both of the additional periods may be consecutive with the days on which the fair is conducted. In assigning race days and race times under this paragraph, the department shall consider the competitive effects on licensees under sub. (1) (a) and (b).
(10) The department shall revoke the license issued under sub. (1) (a) of any person who accepts any public money to construct or operate a racetrack in Wisconsin. This subsection does not apply to any racetrack operated in conjunction with a county fair.
(11) In this section, “public money" means any direct or indirect gift, grant, financial assistance or guarantee by or from the federal government, state, any political subdivision of the state, or any authority or corporation authorized by the state to borrow funds for a public purpose.
History: 1987 a. 354; 1989 a. 31, 56; 1991 a. 39, 269; 1993 a. 84, 112, 490; 1995 a. 27 s. 9123 (6pp); 1997 a. 27, 191, 237; 1999 a. 9; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2001 a. 38; 2005 a. 245; 2007 a. 20; 2013 a. 36.
Residency under sub. (3w) (a) is discussed. 80 Atty. Gen. 124.