In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. “Breakage” means the odd cents that remain after all successful bettors are paid to the next lowest multiple of 10 cents. “Central Repository” means the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. “Commission” means the State Racing Commission. “Handle” means the gross amount, less refunds, of money bet. “Harness racing” means the racing of horses that trot or pace in harness while pulling drivers in sulkies. “Intertrack betting” means: pari-mutuel betting at a receiving track in the State on a race that is: held live or by interstate simulcast at a sending track in the State; and shown simultaneously by video signal at the receiving track; and transmission of the bets at the receiving track to the sending track. “License” means a license issued by the Commission to hold a race meeting. “Licensee” means a person who has been awarded racing days for the current calendar year. “Mile thoroughbred racing” means thoroughbred horse races at a track that is at least 1 mile long. “Multiple mutuel pool” means a separate pari-mutuel betting pool in which an interest is represented by a single bet on 2 or more horses. “Mutuel pool” includes a multiple mutuel pool and a regular mutuel pool. “Pari-mutuel betting” means the system of betting in which those who successfully bet on horses that finish in specified positions share the mutuel pool, less the takeout and the breakage. “Purse” means the prize money divided among the owners of horses that finish in specified positions in a race. “Race meeting” means a period of time to hold racing that extends between specific dates over a number of racing days at a single track. “Racing” includes: harness racing; mile thoroughbred racing; special thoroughbred racing; steeplechase or hurdle racing; flat racing; and quarter horse racing. “Receiving track” means a track where pari-mutuel betting is done on races held at another track. “Regular mutuel pool” means a separate pari-mutuel betting pool in which an interest is represented by a single bet on 1 horse. “Sending track” means a track where a race is held live or by interstate simulcast and is sent simultaneously by video signal to a receiving track or a satellite simulcast facility under Subtitle 8, Part III of this title. “Special thoroughbred racing” means thoroughbred horse racing held by the Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society, Inc., or the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. “Takeout” means the part of the handle that is not returned to successful bettors but is otherwise allocated under this title. “Track” means a place where racing is held.

This title is statewide and exclusive in its effect. A county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the State may not: make or enforce a local law, ordinance, or regulation about racing; or impose or collect any tax or additional license fee as to racing, except the general property tax.

Unless pari-mutuel betting is held, this title does not apply to: the Elkridge-Harford Point to Point; the Grand National; the Marlboro Trials; the Maryland Hunt Cup; the Potomac Trials; a race at the Cape Pine Farm in Church Hill, Queen Anne’s County; a race held by the Pocomoke City Fair Committee, Inc. on any day during and in conjunction with the Great Pocomoke Fair; and any other steeplechase or hunt-type race.