A newly filed Florida House bill is once again stirring debate over the future of live horse racing in the state, raising alarms among industry leaders who warn the proposal could inflict lasting damage on the sport and the thousands of jobs it supports.
A Renewed Push for “Decoupling”
House Bill 881, introduced Tuesday by Rep. Adam Anderson of Pinellas County, seeks to allow Florida’s remaining racetracks to operate their gambling businesses without being required to host live racing. The concept, known as “decoupling,” would apply to the state’s final two active tracks.
One is Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, a major entertainment destination offering thoroughbred racing, casino gaming, dining, and retail. The other is Tampa Bay Downs, a long‑standing venue celebrated for its racing heritage and home to a 25‑table poker room.
Supporters Call It Modernization; Opponents Call It Destructive
Backers of the bill argue that decoupling would give track operators the flexibility to adapt to a changing marketplace, where gaming revenue increasingly outpaces racing revenue.
Critics, however, say the measure threatens the foundation of Florida’s horse industry, much of which is concentrated in Marion County. They warn that eliminating the live‑racing requirement could trigger a collapse in the ecosystem that supports breeding, training, and racing operations statewide.
A similar proposal narrowly failed last session, but supporters have not relented. Alongside the new bill, they have also filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s current coupling mandate.
Industry Leaders Sound the Alarm
The renewed legislative push has prompted urgent concern from horse industry stakeholders, drawing attention from the governor’s office as well. In April, Governor Ron DeSantis met with industry representatives at Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, a major thoroughbred auction venue. He voiced opposition to decoupling but stopped short of promising a veto.
“The concern is that once live racing is no longer required, it becomes much easier for tracks to walk away from it entirely,” said David O’Farrell, general manager of Ocala Stud Farm.
O’Farrell noted that a few related bills remain active in the House, and industry leaders are hoping to “run out the clock” to buy time for negotiations or alternative solutions ahead of next year’s session.
A Pivotal Moment for Florida’s Equine Future
As lawmakers debate the path forward, the stakes are clear: whatever decision emerges will likely reshape Florida’s equine industry for years to come.
