A bill in Florida aimed at saving thoroughbred horse racing and leveling the playing field for the parimutuel industry has undergone significant changes to address concerns from the thoroughbred industry. The proposed committee substitute (PCS) maintains decoupling while adding a commitment to maintain thoroughbred racing in the state, with provisions to ensure existing tracks continue racing into the future and allowing permits to be moved to different facilities.
The original bill, now revised with the PCS, would allow Gulfstream Park to continue operating its casino without the requirement to also host horse racing. Supporters argue that the legislation is necessary to give horse race tracks the option to maintain gambling activities independently from live races, aligning them with other parimutuel facilities that were decoupled under a 2021 law. Critics have expressed concerns about the future of horse racing, but the PCS aims to provide stability to the industry and support for Florida’s breeding industry.
Despite a decline in the racing industry, Gulfstream Park is working to preserve it by making improvements to attract more attention to its racing activities. The PCS includes incentives to support Florida’s breeding industry, with hopes that it will not only recover but emerge stronger. The bill has received favorable votes in committee hearings and seeks to provide a path forward for thoroughbred horse racing in the state.
