The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) Oct. 17 voted unanimously to adopt the national uniform medication and drug-testing program.

Massachusetts is one of eight states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions that pledged to enact the model rules passed by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium and Association of Racing Commissioners International. The rules include enhanced penalties for violators.

"Massachusetts now joins Maryland and Virginia as early adopters of this new set of regulations," said Jennifer Durenberger, MGC director of racing. "We are grateful to all of the industry stakeholders and hard-working committee members whose unwavering efforts to see these rules come to fruition will soon be rewarded."

Massachusetts has Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing. The United States Trotting Association recently rejected the model rules because it believes the two breeds should have separate regulations, but states that have adopted the rules have adopted the same rules for both breeds