Racing Commissioners International chairman Peter Burnett has named Larry Eliason of South Dakota as chairman of the organization's model rules committee. Burnett also named Rick Goodell of New York and Hugh Gallagher of Delaware as vice-chairmen of the committee.
“Larry Eliason first became a racing regulator 27 years ago and, as executive secretary to the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, is the most seasoned executive director currently serving. His overall knowledge, varied experience, and attention to detail will be tremendous assets to the model rules process,” said Burnett.
An attorney by profession, Eliason became a racing regulator in 1981, when he was named director of the South Dakota Racing Commission. In 1986, he was named executive secretary of the Birmingham Racing Commission, and in 1995, he was named to his current position as executive secretary of the South Dakota Commission on Gaming.
Assisting Eliason will be Gallagher, executive director of the Delaware Harness Racing Commission, and Goodell, associate counsel of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and former chair of the National Racing Compact.
The RCI model rules committee meets periodically to develop model regulations governing the conduct of horse and greyhound racing, track operation, licensing, tote company standards, and pari-mutuel wagering and security, as well as the conduct of off-track betting and advanced deposit wagering. The Model Rules Committee is comprised of key regulatory policymakers from RCI member jurisdictions.