Federal regulators approve updates to HISA enforcement rules

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority announced Friday that the proposed changes to its enforcement rules have been officially approved by the Federal Trade Commission. These changes to series 8000 of the HISA rules will take effect on Jan. 19.

HISA’s updated enforcement rules are available in full on the organization's website.

The new rules clarified that it is a violation to enter a covered horse or cause a covered horse to compete in a covered horse race prior to registering that horse with HISA. It is a separate violation to fail to register a covered horse on the date of the horse's first timed and reported workout at a racetrack that participates in covered horse races or at a training facility.

Furthermore, under the updated rules, failure to pay a fine or repay a purse by the prescribed deadline will subject the covered person to an automatic suspension.

The FTC published a request for public comment on the proposed changes on Sept. 9, 2025 and issued an order approving the changes on Dec. 19, 2025. HISA will work with racing industry participants to help prepare them for the changes.