HISA Assessments for 2024 Total $77.5 Million

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority released its 2024 assessments Nov. 6, totaling more than $77.5 million.

Established when the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was signed into federal law in 2020, the Authority is responsible for enforcing national, uniform safety and integrity rules in United States Thoroughbred racing under the oversight of the Federal Trade Commission. The legality of HISA continues to be contested in court.

HISA has two programs—its Racetrack Safety Program, which began in the summer of 2022, and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program, which was first implemented in the spring.

With the ADMC scheduled for operations throughout 2024, HISA's assessments have increased for 2024. The cost of HISA has been a subject of criticism by opponents.

The states with the highest assessments are New York ($9.05 million), Kentucky ($8.50 million), California ($7.67 million), and Pennsylvania ($7.06 million).

Credits are applied to states based on commission duties done on behalf of HISA. The credits total nearly $18.5 million, with California and Pennsylvania receiving the largest credits with a significant portion for what HISA labeled as "lab/research."

If a state commission chooses not to pay its assessment, the expense is passed along to the racetracks. 

Absent from the assessments were Nebraska and Texas. Forgoing HISA oversight, tracks in those states could not participate in intra-state simulcasting for Thoroughbred racing, and their handle dropped sharply.