Florida legislature kills latest decoupling push ... for now

Overshadowed by America’s biggest racing party about 550 miles away, Thoroughbred stakeholders had a more subdued celebration late Friday when Florida lawmakers shelved controversial legislation that would have decoupled the state’s racing and gaming licenses.

On the last day of the annual, 60-day legislative session, the state Senate decided not to act on any version of the proposal that The Stronach Group pushed in hopes of separating Gulfstream Park’s racing and slot-machine operations.

“The conclusion of Florida’s regular legislative session brings encouraging news for our beloved Thoroughbred legacy and the thousands of Floridians who dedicate their livelihoods to this proud tradition,” Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association CEO Lonny Powell said in a Friday night statement.

Sources inside the Florida racing industry, however, said they did not consider this fight to be completely over. Since a state budget has not been finalized, the legislature agreed to an extended session through June 6 to get the job done on a spending plan tied to a debate over how to cut taxes. One racing executive said he would not rest as long as there was even a remote possibility of a decoupling amendment materializing in budget negotiations.

“As the legislature continues to consider matters related to the state budget in the coming weeks, we will remain firm in our opposition to any effort to weaken Florida’s Thoroughbred industry,” Powell said in his Friday night statement. “We look forward to continuing our work with Florida’s leaders and stakeholders on long-term solutions that preserve and grow this vital industry for years to come.”

Powell included a reminder that the racing industry has been threatened by “ill-advised attempt(s) at decoupling ... in 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2021.”

The 2025 push won the approval of the Florida House, which last week voted 70-34 to approve a wide-reaching bill to regulate gambling and establish daily fantasy sports. That proposal was amended to include decoupling with a plan that critics warned would have led to the end of racing at Gulfstream Park as soon as 2030. The bill was assigned to the Senate rules committee, which did not act on it before the regular legislative session ended Friday night.

Supporters of decoupling say racing should not be subsidized by the state and that racetrack operators should not be forced to run races in order to run their gambling businesses. Opponents point out that Gulfstream Park’s slot machines and Tampa Bay Downs’ card room, which also would have been decoupled, only existed under the condition they ran races.

Management at Gulfstream and Tampa Bay did not make any public statements Friday night in reaction to the legislative outcome.