Janelle Irwin Taylor
A bill aimed at saving thoroughbred horse racing in Florida and leveling the playing field for the parimutuel industry has undergone significant changes. The changes were intended to alleviate fears from the thoroughbred industry that the measure could end racing.
A proposed committee substitute (PCS) maintains what is known as decoupling — which eliminates the requirement that thoroughbred racing facilities host live races to maintain permits for ancillary activities such as slot machines and card rooms—while adding a new commitment to maintaining thoroughbred racing in the state.
The PCS to Rep. Adam Anderson’s measure (HB 105) adds language confirming that a track cannot stop racing unless they provide a three-year notice to the thoroughbred industry. It further states that such notice cannot be given until 2027. The revision is meant to ensure the state’s two existing thoroughbred tracks, Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, continue racing into the future.
“Florida’s horse racing and breeding industries are vital to our economy, creating jobs and driving tourism,” Anderson said. “This bill guarantees at least five years of racing stability, offers flexibility to move permits to new facilities, and secures nearly $14 million in annual breeder and owner funding to support Florida’s thriving thoroughbred industry, ensuring Florida remains competitive in the thoroughbred industry while supporting the state’s rich equestrian heritage.”
The original bill easily cleared its first committee hearing last month, with a 12-4 favorable vote by the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee.
As it was initially written and under the new PCS, the bill would allow Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach to continue operating its on-site casino without a contingency that it also operates horse racing. The measure will align thoroughbred tracks with other parimutuel facilities decoupled from ancillary activities under a 2021 law (SB 2A).
Supporters of the legislation say it is necessary to level the playing field for horse racetracks by allowing them to maintain certain gambling activities even without live horse races. It would make each activity independent.
But the measure is not without opposition. Critics have been concerned about the continuation of horse racing. This PCS addresses those concerns and seeks to provide stability to the industry while guaranteeing racing into the future.
“Today’s vote in the House Commerce Committee was disappointing,” said Lonny Powell, CEO of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. “Let me be clear: The latest changes to HB 105 are not a compromise — they are designed to scuttle Florida’s vital Thoroughbred industry. No matter how our opponents try to spin it, this bill decouples live racing from voter-approved gaming requirements. This means fewer races, fewer jobs, and fewer opportunities for the hardworking Floridians devoted to this industry, including the passionate horsemen and women from the farms and barns who testified today.”
“If this bill passes, it will ripple across the entire state economy, gutting a major industry and sending Florida jobs and horses to other states and our dollars to Toronto. This industry has helped power Florida’s economy for generations, and we must not allow bad special-interest policy to dismantle it.”
Horse racing is declining, but Gulfstream Park is trying to preserve it as a significant industry. By making necessary improvements to its facility, the park hopes to attract more attention to its racing activities.
The decline of the racing industry is apparent through horse breeding statistics.
In 2002, about 4,500 foals were bred. By last year, that number had dropped to just around 1,000. The PCS aims to provide significant support to Florida’s breeding industry. With these additional incentives in place, supporters hope the breeding industry will recover and emerge more resilient and stronger than before.
