Maine harness racing bonds.
From $100.
Maine requires every harness racing licensee to file a bond under 8 M.R.S. §272 before receiving a license. The State Harness Racing Commission sets the amount — a reasonable sum not exceeding $100,000. The premium is 2% of the bond amount, $100 minimum — your exact price appears at the application.
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How much does a Maine harness racing bond cost?
2% of the bond amount, from $100. Enter your amount in the calculator for the exact price.
Three steps. One sitting.
No underwriting queue for the standard harness racing bond — enter your amount, pay, and file with the Commission. Here is the whole thing:
Apply online
Your business details, the bond amount the Commission set, and the effective date — that is the application.
Issued on the spot
No credit check up to $50,000. Above $50,000, a soft pull may add a short review.
File with the Commission
Submit the executed bond to the State Harness Racing Commission with your license. The bond renews on a statutory calendar-year date. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the Commission insists.
What it is and who needs it.
What the harness racing bond actually covers
Maine regulates harness racing through the State Harness Racing Commission under Title 8, Chapter 11. Operators licensed to hold racing meets — and to conduct pari-mutuel wagering — must post a bond before the Commission issues the license.
Under 8 M.R.S. §272, the bond is conditioned to faithfully make the payments prescribed by the chapter, to keep proper books and records, to file required reports, and to conduct racing in conformity with the statute and Commission rules. The Commission fixes the amount — a reasonable sum not exceeding $100,000 — and an irrevocable letter of credit is allowed as an alternative.
The bond protects the State's share of the pari-mutuel pools and the integrity of the meet. It is not insurance for you — if the surety pays a valid claim, you repay the surety. Because the bond renews on a statutory calendar-year date, your term and price track those dates.
You need this bond if you are
Claims, renewal, filing, and what sets the price.
If a claim is made
A claim comes from the party the bond protects, the obligee named on the form, when the duty the bond guarantees is not met.
The surety investigates and pays a valid claim, up to the bond amount. You then repay the surety: a surety bond is a guarantee of your performance, not insurance for you.
Renewal and term
The bond runs to December 31 whatever day you buy; the premium covers the period to that date.
Renewal falls on the statutory date, December 31, in the year your term ends.
Renew before the expiry date to keep the bond in force: the license, permit or contract it backs expects continuous coverage.
How to file it
File with the Commission. Submit the executed bond to the State Harness Racing Commission with your license. The bond renews on a statutory calendar-year date. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the Commission insists.
What sets the price
The premium is 2% of the bond amount, $100 minimum: the amount the obligee sets moves the price, not your business profile.
No credit check up to $50,000. Above that, the carrier may run a soft pull, which never affects your score.
Where a check runs, it decides approval; the rate is the same for everyone approved.
One application, issued on the spot.
Submit the application with the bond amount the Commission set — the executed bond is generated instantly, ready to file.
Start the application →Common questions.
Other Maine bonds.
Price and requirements checked on the carrier’s application, . Page updated .
Harness racing bond, issued today.
Premiums from $100. Enter the amount the Commission set and file the same day.