Picture: Gulfstream Park – edited composite
The Stronach Group’s effort to separate Gulfstream Park’s horse racing and slot machine licenses was launched Tuesday morning in a brand new invoice within the Florida Legislature.
Home Invoice 881, titled Parimutuel Playing, was filed by Republican Adam Anderson. He sponsored the same invoice that handed the Home this 12 months, nevertheless it was merged right into a broader playing invoice handed by the Florida Senate in Could.
Feasibility examine outlines choices for Florida horse racing
The brand new invoice would “enable sure allow holders to elect to not conduct dwell racing pursuant to note to the Florida Gaming Management Board, present that sure allow holders wouldn’t be required to pay sure taxes, amend provisions concerning the switch of allow holders, and amend the provisions for allow holders to conduct dwell racing upon approval by the Fee.” Amends the provisions concerning amenities which may be leased by nonprofit firms (and) to allow the switch of Labred racing licenses, take away sure referendum necessities, take away the requirement that sure licenses flee to the state after tax delinquency, and amend the group to designate sure members of a specified company’s board of administrators.” ”
If handed, the invoice would go into impact on July 1st. The Stronach Group must provide racing at Gulfstream Park for 3 extra years earlier than ceasing operations.
The brand new invoice might additionally result in a break up in horse racing and card room licenses at Tampa Bay Downs, however no committee has been assigned. Florida’s 2026 legislative session will run from January 13 to March 13, two months sooner than final 12 months.
The upcoming defeat of the 2025 invoice was signaled in April by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who mentioned, “Belief me, I am not going to look favorably on a invoice that destroys our signature trade.”
As a result of 2025 shouldn’t be an election 12 months in Florida, DeSantis remains to be governor and is sure by time period limits and as a result of depart workplace subsequent 12 months. Though the 2 are sometimes at odds, fellow Republicans nonetheless management each chambers of Congress.
Stronach, citing a bear market within the thoroughbred economic system, mentioned one of the best ways ahead for South Florida horse racing is to separate the gaming operations and have them run individually. Horse racing supporters say Stronach knew what his firm was moving into 20 years in the past when it agreed to introduce horse racing as a situation for working slot machines that fund thoroughbred wallets.
In August, The Stronach Group filed a lawsuit in Leon County Circuit Courtroom, alleging that Harness, Quarter Horse and Jai Alai operators had been unfairly singled out to proceed pari-mutuel competitors to keep up slots whereas being allowed to separate. The case has not but been heard in open court docket.
