On Wednesday (May 19), the Florida legislature passed a decoupling bill that did not include an exemption for harness racing in the state.
According to Paulick Report, “The decoupling bill likely will end live racing at South Florida’s Pompano Park, the state’s only harness track that opened in 1964 and is now known as Isle Casino Pompano, a Caesars Entertainment property.
“A last-minute amendment in the Florida House version of the bill to exempt harness racing from the decoupling law was stripped in the final version that passed the Senate by a 39-0 vote and the House in a 73-43 vote.”
The legislation must still be approved by federal regulators and may still face legal challenges.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, “The full Florida Legislature Wednesday approved legal sports betting in a gambling deal with the state’s Seminole Tribe — which owns the Hard Rock hotel and casino brand — that promises a $2.5 billion cut over 30 years to state coffers.
“The deal, known as a gaming compact, still must be OK’d by federal regulators in the U.S. Department of Interior to ensure it comports with Indian gambling law. And it may face lawsuits by any number of groups opposed to more gambling in the state.”
To read the complete story on Paulick Report, click here.
To read the complete Tallahassee Democrat story, click here.
(USTA)