- Home approves ‘decoupling’ invoice permitting tracks to drop dwell racing
- Laws backed by Stronach Group, which desires Gulfstream Park on line casino
- DeSantis has criticized the invoice as dangerous to Florida’s racing trade
A invoice that will probably spell curtains for thoroughbred racing in Florida, if handed, was authorized by the state Home Friday by greater than a two-thirds majority.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) meets and greets throughout a go to to the Ocala Breeder’s Gross sales public sale final week, the place he took the chance to criticize the “dangerous” decoupling measure. (Picture: OBS)
Home invoice 1467 would enable the state’s two operational thoroughbred tracks, Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, to “decouple” from dwell racing. Below the present guidelines, the tracks should supply a quota of races to function different playing actions resembling slots or poker.
The decoupling measure is backed by Gulfstream Park’s proprietor, the Stronach Group, which finally desires a on line casino license on the venue with out the live-racing requirement. The measure has been tagged onto a wider playing package deal that will, amongst different issues, give regulation enforcement higher powers to prosecute unlawful playing and ban playing regulators from accepting lobbying jobs for a sure interval.
Home Republicans voted 70-6 in favor of the Stronach place, whereas all 28 Democrats had been opposed.
DeSantis Bombshell
It was an consequence that was broadly anticipated by opponents of decoupling, who imagine they’ve sufficient help within the Senate to defeat the measure.
Past that, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has indicated he would probably veto a invoice that allowed decoupling, though the legislature might override him with a two-thirds vote in every chamber.
On this challenge with the horses, it appears to me they’re proposals which have the impact of harming the trade right here in Florida to mainly profit one particular curiosity,” DeSantis mentioned whereas visiting the Ocala Breeders’ Gross sales (OBS) public sale final week. “That’s not the way you do good coverage.”
The legislative session in Florida was scheduled to finish Could 2, however will likely be prolonged due to disagreements over the state finances.
The model of the invoice within the Senate would should be authorized by two extra committees earlier than going earlier than the Senate for a full vote, which appears unlikely as a result of timeframe and the legislature’s preoccupation with the finances.
Demise of Harness Racing
Decoupling proved to be the ultimate nail within the coffin of harness racing in Florida. The state’s final harness monitor, Caesars-owned Pompano Park, ceased dwell racing in 2022, lower than a 12 months after the state handed enabling laws.
Defenders of the thoroughbred racing trade, such because the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and House owners Affiliation and the Nationwide Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protecting Affiliation, don’t need historical past to repeat.
They emphasize that the thoroughbred trade generates an estimated $3.2 billion in financial impression and helps greater than 33K jobs.
In a February assertion, Tampa Bay Downs affirmed its dedication to providing dwell racing “for a few years to come back.” It famous within the assertion that it didn’t provoke the laws, however didn’t say whether or not it supported it in precept.
