OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The idea of a Florida without thoroughbred racing could become a reality if state legislative bill HB 881 continues to move forward. The potential law would decouple the on-site casino permit from that of the live racing permit at Gulfstream Park in south Florida and the on-site cardroom permit from the live racing permit at Tampa Bay Downs, so that the tracks would no longer have to conduct live racing but would be able to keep their running their other gambling facilities. The companion bill in the senate is SB 1564.
But there is a formidable group that’s opposed to the bill, with a team that includes the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association, the Tampa Bay Downs Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative.
The Florida House of Representatives bill analysis and the effect of the bill
The bill removes live racing requirements for thoroughbred permitholders and allows certain thoroughbred permitholders that do not conduct live racing to retain the ability to continue to hold and/or apply for a slot machine and/or cardroom license. The bill exempts thoroughbred permitholders with a slot machine license from certain thoroughbred horse racing purses and awards requirements and removes the authority of the Florida Gaming Control Commission to reissue escheated thoroughbred racing permits for failure of the permitholder to pay the required tax on handle for live performances.
The bill was added Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, to the House of Representative’s special order calendar for Wednesday Feb. 11, 2026…