Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Administration [Gaming]
Chapter Game 7 - Greyhound racing
Section Game 7.10 - Racing officials

(a) The following are designated racing officials of a race meet:

(b) All designated racing officials shall be appointed by the association except the division stewards, division veterinarian, and all other division employees, all of whom shall be appointed by the division. All association racing officials shall be licensed by the division. The successor to an official whom is replaced shall be subject to the approval of the division.

(c) Associations shall submit to the division the names of all racing officials not less than 45 days prior to the first day of the race meeting, with biographical data relating to the expertise and qualifications of the individuals. No person shall serve in more than one racing official position without the prior approval of the division.

(d) No racing official shall accept, directly or indirectly, any gratuity, reward or favor in connection with racing at the meeting.

(e) No racing official shall accept anything of value from any licensee.

(f) Racing officials shall report to the stewards all observed violations of the rules.

(g) No occupational licensee shall use profane or indecent language to a racing official or otherwise disturb the peace of any race meet, nor act in a manner which causes any disturbance or disruption of the racing or other operation of the association, or of the acts of any racing officials or employees of the association, or is in any manner detrimental to the best interests of racing.

(h) Any grievance or complaint against a racing official, a licensee or an employee of the licensee shall be made in writing to the stewards. The stewards shall consider the matter, take whatever action is deemed appropriate, and make a full report of their action to the division. Complaints against the stewards or employees of the division shall be made in writing to the administrator.

(i) Whenever the general manager is to be absent from the grounds of a racetrack for more than one performance, the general manager shall, in writing, inform the stewards of the anticipated length of the absence and provide the name of the racing official who will assume the responsibilities of the general manager. The person designated to assume the responsibilities shall be authorized to exercise all duties and responsibilities of the general manager and shall be licensed as an assistant general manager.

(j) All racing officials shall be at least 18 years of age.

(a) The stewards shall supervise the race meet to which they are assigned including the actions and decisions of all racing officials in carrying out their duties. In all cases of conflicts, the decisions of the stewards shall control. The stewards shall be responsible for enforcing ch. 562, Stats., and the division's rules. The stewards shall interpret the rules and decide all questions not addressed in statutes or administrative code. All decisions and rulings within the stewards' authority shall be determined by a majority vote of the board of stewards, subject to division review.

(b) There shall be 3 stewards for each race meeting, 2 of whom shall be appointed by the division and one who shall be nominated by the association for approval by the division.

(c) Should any situation occur which may not be covered by the rules of racing, it shall be determined by the stewards in conformity with custom and usage in the industry and in the best interest of racing. In matters pertaining to racing, the orders of the stewards shall supercede the orders of the officers and directors of the association.

(d) The stewards shall have the power at any time to order an examination by the division veterinarian of any animal entered or which has run in a race.

(e) During each racing day the stewards of the race meet shall be at the division offices on the grounds of the association where the race meet is being held not later than 15 minutes prior to weighing-in time to exercise the authority and perform the duties imposed on the stewards by the rules of racing.

(f) In an emergency, when a vacancy occurs among the racing officials other than the stewards, the stewards shall immediately fill the vacancy:

(g) In an emergency when a vacancy occurs for an association steward, the presiding steward shall appoint a racing official to serve for that program. The appointment shall only be effective for one day, unless the presiding steward determines continuation of such appointment is required.

(h) If a vacancy occurs for a division steward or division veterinarian prior to or during a race performance, the presiding steward shall appoint an individual to serve for the remainder of the race performance.

(i) If a vacancy occurs for a racing official not listed under par. (h), the general manager or designee shall appoint a racing official to serve for the remainder of the race performance. The general manager's appointment shall be subject to the review and consent of the board of stewards.

(j) The question of whether a start was a fair start shall be the decision of the stewards and such decision shall be final and if the stewards decide that a start was not a fair start the race shall be declared a "no race."

(k) The stewards shall determine the finish of the race by the relative position of the muzzles of the greyhounds. In cases where the muzzle is off, hanging or in the mouth the stewards shall consider the relative position of the nose of the greyhound.

(L) The stewards shall display the numbers of the first 3 greyhounds in each race in order of their finish. If the stewards differ in their placing, the majority shall prevail. Nothing in these rules shall be construed to prevent the stewards from correcting an error before the display of the sign "official."

(m) The stewards shall be responsible for hand timing each race.

(n) All association stewards are required to obtain a license as an association steward from the division. All association stewards shall have a knowledge of the principles and practices of the pari-mutuel racing industry, the use of administrative rules and practices within the pari-mutuel industry, and the principles and practices of oversight of pari-mutuel racetrack operations.

(a) The clerk of scales shall weigh all greyhounds in and out and post the scale sheet of weight promptly after weighing.

(b) The clerk of scales shall immediately report to the stewards any infraction of the rules as to weight and weighing.

(a) Lead-outs shall be employed by the association for the purpose of leading the greyhounds to the starting box. Only licensed lead-outs shall lead greyhounds from the paddock to the starting box.

(b) There shall be one lead-out for each greyhound on the racetrack during races on which pari-mutuel wagering is conducted.

(c) Lead-outs shall present a neat appearance and conduct themselves in an orderly manner and shall be attired in clean uniforms provided by the association.

(d) The lead-out shall put the greyhound in its assigned box before the race and then retire to a designated place.

(e) The lead-out shall handle the greyhound in a humane manner at all times.

(f) No lead-out shall have any interest in any greyhound participating in the race meet where the lead-out is employed.

(g) Lead-outs shall be assigned to post positions by the paddock judge or designee by lot before each race performance and subject to approval and reassignment by the division stewards.

(h) Lead-outs shall not hold any conversation with the public or with one another, either in the paddock, enroute to the starting post or while returning to the paddock.

(i) Lead-outs shall remain in the restricted area of the paddock at all times, except to accompany an assigned greyhound to the starting box.

(j) No lead-out shall smoke while in uniform and on duty.

(k) It shall be the responsibility of the association to properly train lead-outs in the handling of greyhounds. The training shall include the proper method of leading greyhounds, weighing, placement in and removal from lock-out kennels, handling of blankets, muzzles and leashes, placement in starting box and returning of the greyhound to the paddock after the finish of a race.

(a) No greyhound not fully identified and checked against the card index systems (bertillon card) maintained by each association shall start in a schooling or official pari-mutuel race. The identification cards shall be filled in and completed by the association paddock judge before greyhounds are entered for schooling or for a race.

(b) The paddock judge shall fully identify and check against the card index system of identification maintained by the association the greyhounds starting in schooling and official pari-mutuel races. The paddock judge shall report to the stewards any greyhound who does not conform to the card index identification.

(c) The paddock judge shall unlock the lock-out kennel immediately before weigh-in time to see that the lock-out kennels are in good repair and that nothing has been deposited in any of the crates for the greyhounds' consumption. The division veterinarian shall see that the lock-out kennels are kept in repair and proper sanitary condition and shall direct the association to make the required corrections when deemed necessary. The paddock judge or designee(s) shall receive the greyhounds from the trainer one at a time, and see that each greyhound is placed in its lock-out kennel and remain on guard from that time until the greyhounds are removed for the last race.

(d) The division steward and paddock judge shall not allow anyone to weigh in a greyhound unless that person has in their possession a valid owner's, trainer's or assistant trainer's license.

(e) The association paddock judge or kennel master shall keep on hand and ready for use extra muzzles of all sizes, lead straps and collars.

(f) The paddock judge shall ensure that each greyhound is properly fitted with an approved muzzle, blanket and lead prior to its leaving for the starting box.

(a) The starter shall report any causes of delay to the stewards.

(b) All starting boxes to be used during a performance shall be inspected and tested by the association prior to the first race of the performance and the results shall be communicated to the stewards by the starter before the first race.

(c) The starter shall inspect all starting boxes and areas adjacent to the starting boxes to be used each race performance prior to the first race to ensure they are clean and free of any foreign materials.

(d) The starter shall be responsible that each greyhound is correctly placed in its assigned post position as identified in the daily racing program.

(a) The racing secretary shall maintain a complete and updated file of all lease and ownership papers on greyhounds racing at the race meet. All ownership and lease documents shall be inspected to be sure they are accurate, complete and updated. To perform this responsibility the racing secretary shall have the authority to demand the production of any documentation or evidence relating to the ownership of a greyhound. Kennel owners and trainers shall file with the racing secretary all current ownership and lease records and any other forms required by the division including but not limited to health certificates, live lure affidavits and animal vaccination records. By filing these documents the owner and trainer warrant that the documents are true, accurate and authentic.

(b) The racing secretary shall receive all entries and declarations.

(c) The racing secretary shall form each race, and ensure that only greyhounds which are eligible to start and which meet any special entry requirements are drawn into the race. The racing secretary shall make every effort to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all greyhound owners and kennel owners in the forming of all races.

(d) As soon as entries have closed for each race performance, the racing secretary shall compile and post a list of entries minus any subsequent withdrawals. Names of greyhounds on the leftover list shall also be compiled and posted in an announced location.

(a) The chartwriter shall compile the past performance information necessary for the daily race program.

(b) The daily race program shall contain:

(a) The timer-photo finish operator shall maintain the photo finish and timing equipment in proper working order and shall be responsible for photographing each race.

(b) The timer-photo finish operator shall declare the official time of each race. The time of the race shall be taken from the opening of the doors of the starting box to the time of the first greyhound crossing the finish line.

(c) Each association shall install an automatic timing device approved by the division. The timer-photo finish operator shall use the time shown on the timing device as the official time of the race if the timer-photo finish operator and stewards are satisfied that the timing device is functioning properly. Otherwise, the timer-photo finish operator shall consult with the stewards and use the time shown on the stop watch or other back-up timing device in use to record the time of the race. When the stop watch time or other back-up timing device is used to record the official time of the race it shall be so announced to the public.

(d) When the "photo" sign is posted by the stewards on the totalizator board the timer-photo finish operator shall prepare a photograph which shall be made available and displayed for public viewing. The photo shall be approved by the board of stewards prior to public viewing. A paper copy of the displayed photo shall be retained for a period of 90 days.

(a) The lure operator shall operate the lure in a smooth, uniform and consistent manner so as not to impede or otherwise disrupt the running of the race.

(b) The location of the lure on the course and the prevailing weather conditions shall be taken into consideration by the lure operator when calculating the appropriate distance of the lure from the lead greyhound.

(c) The lure operator shall test the operation of the lure prior to the running of the first race of each race performance. Any malfunctions shall be reported to the stewards and corrected prior to the start of the race performance.