§ 231. Pari-mutuel betting on horse races legalized. In the exercise
of the authority vested in it by section nine of article one of the
state constitution, as amended by vote of the people at the general
election in November, nineteen hundred thirty-nine, the legislature
prescribes that pari-mutuel betting on horse races shall be lawful in
this state if conducted in the manner and subject to the conditions and
supervision provided by this chapter, notwithstanding the provisions of
any other law, general, special or local, prohibiting or restricting
lotteries, pool-selling or bookmaking, or any other kind of gambling; it
being the purpose of this chapter to derive from such betting as herein
authorized a reasonable revenue for the support of government and to
promote agriculture generally and the improvement of breeding of horses
particularly in the state. Such pari-mutuel betting shall only be
conducted within the grounds or enclosure of a racetrack on races at
such track and on such dates when racing at such track shall have been
authorized pursuant to this chapter; provided, however, that nothing in
this section shall be deemed to prohibit off-track pari-mutuel betting
in a municipality pursuant to article five, five-A or six of this
chapter.