Officials with the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association have made the industry aware that – in a move that was expected, to a degree – that a decoupling amendment that would separate harness racing from cardroom operations in the state could be addressed today (Thursday, March 10 ) in the Florida Senate as SB 1050 or HB 1187.
Last week, Florida Senate Appropriations Chair Tom Lee conveyed that the massive state gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe that would allow the majority of Florida racetracks to offer gaming without having to offer pari-mutuel horse racing was being postponed.
Officials with the FSBOA have helped explain that a decoupling measure, in the form of an amendment, was tacked onto a deregulation bill late on Tuesday, March 8.
An update on the situation by the FSBOA states that thanks to efforts by FSBOA and United Florida Horsemen, the decoupling amendments have been narrowed down to greyhound racing, however, this is still not acceptable to the state’s horsepeople, since from a long-term perspective it represents ‘a giant step in the wrong direction.’
To watch today's proceedings, click here.
For bill information on SB 1050, click here.
Click here for HB 1187.
(With files from FSBOA)