{"id":112451,"date":"2026-01-09T23:26:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T23:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/112451\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T23:26:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T23:26:16","slug":"bills-filed-to-get-horse-racing-out-of-tampa-bay-downs-gulfstream-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/112451\/","title":{"rendered":"Bills filed to get horse racing out of Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Credit: Photo via Tampa Bay Downs\/Google<\/p>\n

A Senate Republican on Friday filed a proposal that would eliminate a requirement that Florida\u2019s two remaining thoroughbred horse tracks hold races to be able to offer other types of gambling. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

In a concept known as \u201cdecoupling,\u201d 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. <\/p>\n

A version of the proposal during the 2025 legislative session drew fierce opposition from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders\u2019 and Owners\u2019 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. <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tSen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, filed the proposal for the legislative session starting Tuesday..\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tReproductive rights advocates will protest Florida\u2019s six-week abortion ban and other restrictive laws.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tStory Keepers stages \u2018The Pink Unicorn\u2019 in homes and backyards around St. Pete.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

This article appears in Jan. 08 \u2013 14, 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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