'Sec. 1. 8 MRSA §300-A is enacted to read:

§300-A.__Illegal wagering

1.__Illegal wagering on harness races.__A person is liable for the damages specified in this section if that person accepts a wager concerning harness racing from a person located within this State unless the person accepting the wager is licensed to do so under this chapter.

2.__Right of action.__A commercial licensee under section 271 may bring an action in Superior Court against a person who has accepted an illegal wager described in subsection 1.__The court shall award damages to the prevailing plaintiff and the commission, as provided in subsection 4, in an amount equal to 25% of the monetary amount of illegal wagers accepted, including illegal wagers accepted as described in subsection 1, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

3.__Punitive damages.__If a person accepting an illegal wager described in subsection 1 has been advised in writing of