Florida Legislature Faces Key Decision on Live Horse Racing

If passed, these bills will greatly influence the future of live horse racing and the Florida legislature’s thoroughbred breeding industry. House Bill 105 (HB 105) would allow Gulfstream Park to keep its gaming license while dropping live horse racing. According to proponents, this would provide much-needed financial stability; opponents state that this will set off a downward spiral toward industry decline and job loss.

In 2021, there was a parallel development in Kentucky, when a legal decision jeopardized the horse racing business. The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that historical horse racing (HHR) was unconstitutional, imperiling a significant revenue source for the tracks. The Kentucky General Assembly responded with legislation that permitted HHR to continue, advancing much-needed economic growth and job development in the racing industry. Kentucky now stands strong as the best market for horse racing, with substantial investments in racetracks and breeding operations that help sustain the sport.

Florida legislature lawmakers now face a similar choice: whether to pass a bill that could weaken live horse racing or consider policies that support the long-term future of the industry. The outcome will affect thousands of jobs and the overall economy connected to breeding and horse racing.

If approved, HB 105 would allow Gulfstream Park to separate its gaming license from its live horse racing operations. The track’s ownership claims that this change is necessary to remain financially viable and move forward with plans to build a casino and hotel. However, opponents argue that it would ultimately bring an end to horse racing in South Florida and significantly impact the state’s breeding industry.

Florida legislature has long been a key player in thoroughbred racing, producing top-quality horses and attracting industry professionals from around the country. If Gulfstream Park stops hosting races, the breeding sector could experience setbacks, leading to reduced investments and potential job losses.

Horse racing is crucial to the economy of the Florida legislature and supports many workers, from trainers and jockeys to farm workers and veterinarians. The end of performance racing at Gulfstream Park would likely mean a decrease in tax revenue and economic activity generated by this sport.

Historically, the Florida legislature has tied gaming licenses to live horse racing, allowing tracks to benefit from additional revenue sources while maintaining racing operations. HB 105 seeks to change this structure by removing the requirement to hold live races to maintain a gaming license.

Kentucky’s approach demonstrates that states can strengthen their horse racing industries by supporting tracks rather than reducing racing opportunities. Instead of removing live horse racing requirements, Florida legislature lawmakers could consider ways to keep the industry competitive while maintaining its traditions.

The Florida Legislature must decide whether to support HB 105, potentially reducing live horse racing opportunities, or take steps to secure the future of horse racing in the state. Stakeholders, including horsemen, breeders, and racing supporters, continue to push for policies that maintain the Florida legislature’s standing in the sport.

While the case of HB 105 is being debated, a different consideration is the need for assessing the financial influence of Gulfstream Park on the issue of horse racing sustainability in the long run. The decision will shape Florida’s racing landscape for years to come.