Bills filed to get horse racing out of Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park

Credit: Photo via Tampa Bay Downs/Google

A Senate Republican on Friday filed a proposal that would eliminate a requirement that Florida’s two remaining thoroughbred horse tracks hold races to be able to offer other types of gambling.

The proposal (SB 1564), filed by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, is similar to a bill (HB 881), filed last month by Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Palm Harbor. The bills are filed for consideration during the legislative session that will start Tuesday.

In a concept known as “decoupling,” the bills would erase a requirement that Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs hold live races to be able to operate cardrooms and, in the case of Gulfstream, slot machines.

A version of the proposal during the 2025 legislative session drew fierce opposition from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association and other critics who said it posed a threat to areas such as Marion County, which is a major player nationally in horse breeding.

The bills would lead to thoroughbred tracks being treated similarly to former greyhound and harness-racing tracks that do not hold races but have been able to continue other forms of gambling.

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Bills filed to get horse racing out of Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park

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