The Horseplayers’ Coalition

The Horseplayers' Coalition is the NTRA's legislative voice for horse racing's customers. The Coalition seeks legislative solutions to Federal tax issues that impact horseplayers and pari-mutuel racetracks, and provides grassroots support for NTRA's lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. The Coalition’s Advisory Panel is tasked with helping the NTRA Legislative team identify, establish and prioritize player-friendly legislation.

One federal issue that is sure to impact horseplayers is the push to expand Internet gaming in the current Congress.  Federal lawmakers held multiple hearings in 2011 on the subject, and the NTRA has been and will continue to be involved with the development of related draft bills in 2012.  

Within these draft bills, the NTRA is working to eliminate the automatic 25 percent federal withholding tax on pari-mutuel winnings of $5,000 or more and have the current tax withholding requirements on winning wagers of over $600 on odds greater than 300-1 doubled to $1,200.  

Another provision includes redefining the “cost of a wager” for purposes of tax reporting to more accurately reflect today’s emphasis on exotic wagers with complicated cost structures.

Annual membership in the Horseplayers’ Coalition is $25. Horseplayers can also join when signing up for the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship Tour (NHC Tour). 

Members of the Horseplayers' Coalition are eligible to receive preferred pricing from NTRA Advantage, offering products and services from companies like John Deere, Sherwin-Williams, OfficeMax, UPS and more.

If you are already a member of the Horseplayers' Coalition, thank you for your support.  Please send us your comments and questions and best of luck in 2012. 

Click here to learn more about The Horseplayers' Coalition.