Racing Commission

The Racing Commission issued (or revoked) licenses to individuals, associations, and corporations conducting or participating in horse racing meets. The commission determined the location and dates of meets, the amount of fees to be charged and collected, and the individuals chosen to officiate the races. The commission regulated the pari-mutuel system of betting allowed at meets. The betting system continued to be used at horse races until July 1928, when the Utah Supreme Court ruled that the pari-mutuel betting became a felony with the repeal of the Redd Racing Law (Supreme Court, Utah Reports, vol. 72, pp.405-426 [series 1481], Lagoon Jockey Club et al. v. Davis County et al., case 4636).

The Racing Commission consisted of three members appointed by the governor; two members to serve for two years, one to serve for four years. The commission elected a chairman and secretary. The members recieved pay for each day of a race meet held under the provisions of the law.

The first meeting of the Utah Racing Commission was held on March 12, 1925, at the office of Governor George H. Dern. During the meeting, the three members selected a chairman and secretary. Other than a brief period in March 1927, all positions remained occupied during the commmission's two-year existence. Some commission members also served as race officials when chosen by organizers of the meet.