§352.  Policy

The legislature hereby finds and declares it to be the public policy of this state that:

(1)  Pari-mutuel wagering facilities which offer live horse racing have historically made great contributions to the economic development of the state at large and particularly the agricultural and horse breeding industries.

(2)  Recent legalization of additional forms of wagering other than pari-mutuel wagering on horse races such as lottery, riverboat gaming, and land- based casino gaming have, and will continue to have, a substantial negative and detrimental effect upon live horse racing as well as the thoroughbred and quarterhorse industries in general.

(3)  Authorization of certain specified gaming activities, such as the competitive offering of slot machine gaming at specifically defined eligible live racing facilities, will revitalize and rehabilitate those facilities within strategically located geographic areas of the state, and will further result in overall economic development and additional revenues to the state and parishes where those facilities are located.

Acts 1997, No. 721, §1, eff. July 9, 1997.