61D-2.020. Pari-Mutuel Wagering Racing and Game Officials

(1) Each licensed pari-mutuel wagering permitholder shall designate persons, if required by the permitholder, for horse racing, harness racing, greyhound racing, or jai alai games, depending upon the type of permit held, for the following functions as racing or game officials:

(a) Horse Racing: authorized stewards, racing secretary, paddock judge, horse identifier, patrol judges, placing judges, clerk of scales, starter, timer, veterinarian, and chief of security.

(b) Harness Racing: authorized stewards, racing secretary, paddock judge, patrol judge, clerk of course, starter, timer, veterinarian, and chief of security.

(c) Greyhound Racing: authorized judges, racing secretary, paddock judge, patrol judge, clerk of scales, kennel master, greyhound leadout, lure operator, starter, veterinarian, and chief of security.

(d) Jai Alai: court judges, players’ manager, match maker, announcer, and chief of security.

(2) If a permitholder prescribes rules and duties for their appointed racing and game officials such rules shall not conflict with Chapter 550, Florida Statutes, and the rules adopted thereto. A permitholder shall file a copy of any house rules with the division together with any amendments to such house rules when adopted.

(3) No racing official shall have or maintain an ownership interest, direct or indirect, in any racing animal participating at any licensed meeting where he works or officiates.

(4) In addition to the duties prescribed by the permitholder’s house rules, in greyhound racing the Kennel Master shall:

(a) Inspect the lock-out kennels to ensure that the kennels are in good repair and that nothing has been deposited in any of the crates that could be consumed by the greyhounds. He shall ensure that the crates have been cleaned, sprayed, and disinfected and are in sanitary condition.

(b) Receive the greyhounds immediately after they are weighed and ensure that they are placed in the proper crate by race and post position. No persons other than the kennel master, paddock judge, veterinarian, clerk-of-scales, lead-outs, judges or division representatives shall be allowed in the lock-out kennel once loading starts.

(c) Remain on duty at the lock-out kennel to ensure security of the kennel from the time the first greyhounds are received until the greyhounds are removed for the last race. Only authorized persons shall be allowed in the lock-out kennel and at no time shall the kennel master allow any less than two authorized persons to be present in the lock-out kennel after the greyhounds are loaded. Lead-outs entering the lock-out area must be under the direct supervision of or accompanied by a racing or division official.

(5) In addition to the duties prescribed by the permitholder’s house rules, in greyhound racing the patrol judge shall ensure that following a race, racing blankets are not removed from the greyhounds until the greyhounds are accepted by their respective kennel owner/operator, trainer, or authorized representative.

(6) A jai alai permitholder shall maintain separate facilities for the court judges and the players. Court judges shall have no contact at any time with players other than in an official capacity while at the fronton.

(7) No jai alai judge shall be under contract as an active player in a fronton in which that judge officiates. In event of an emergency, a temporary judge shall be chosen by fronton management from the roster of active players and such appointment shall be reported to the division judge.

Specific Authority 550.0251(3), (11), 550.105(2)(c), (4)(b), (9), 550.2415(13), 550.2625(2)(d) FS. Law Implemented 550.0251, 550.09514, 550.105, 550.235, 550.2415, 550.2625 FS. History–New 10-20-96, Amended 12-15-97.