Florida horse racing at stake in special gambling session

Florida horse racing at stake in special gambling session.

Lawmakers are meeting in Tallahassee for a special session on Monday to consider a new gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe. Seminoles will have exclusive rights to run online sports betting in Florida. Three pieces of legislation are being discussed. One would create a statewide gaming commission to regulate sports bets. Another would carve out a public records exemption to protect certain information presented to the commission. Third bill would allow pari-mutuels to separate live racing and jai alai matches from their casino operations.

Greyhound racing in Florida was outlawed as of January 1st this year. Pari-mutuel gambling facilities are controlled by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. They use a betting system where bets are placed in a pool and paid out to the winners after the taxes and house take are deducted. The system is used mainly with dog racing, horse racing and jai alai. Greyhound tracks have been allowed to keep their permits and operate card rooms, simulcast race betting and slot machines.

Consensus has been reached on more than 20 amendments to the compact and accompanying bills.

Amendments to the gambling law would allow card rooms and slot rooms to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and reduce the tax on slot machine revenues from 35% to 30%. It would also affect the Seminole Tribe's operation of online sports betting. The amendment could jeopardize thoroughbred racing in Florida. The industry employs 23,000 people and generates $2.7 billion a year for the state's economy. It's 100th anniversary in the Florida state. GulfStream Park Racing and Casino in Hallandale Beach is the only thoroughbreeding track still in operation.

Both card rooms and slot rooms should be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Let slot room operators offer free drinks, provide credit to players and have ATM machines in the gaming area.

Amendment would allow the state's thoroughbred tracks to retain their inter-track wagering licenses. The amendment is not likely to include purse sharing. There is only one track in Florida that offers jai alai, which is a fast-paced court game similar to handball. The industry has a history in the Florida going back five decades. It is supported by 62 farms, several training facilities and 5,000 employees. If decoupling is allowed, it would be dire for the industry. A lobbyist for Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association said it will be the death knell for their industry in that state.

Florida horse racing at stake in special gambling session. Jai alai is a fast-paced court game similar to handball. Harness racing is using Standardbred horses that run at a specific gait and pull a jockey around the track on a cart called a sulky. Quarter horse race is on straight quarter-mile track using a breed of horses known for their size and ability to achieve high speeds.