TALLAHASSEE, FL (AP) — Florida’s jai alai frontons, quarter horse and harness horse racing tracks could choose not to conduct live events and still be able to operate poker and slot machine rooms under a bill unanimously approved by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Monday.
There was little debate on the bill, though some in the pari-mutuel industry expressed concerns. Mike Rogers, president of racing for the Stronach Group, which owns the Gulfstream Park thoroughbred track in Broward County, said there should be some sort of financial penalty for pari-mutuels if they stop live events.
“Putting our casino at a disadvantage would seriously jeopardize this schedule, directly impacting one of the world’s most coveted thoroughbred racing and breeding markets,” Rogers said.
Slot machines are allowed at Miami-Dade and Broward County pari-mutuels. Other pari-mutuels in Florida can operate poker rooms but not slots. Florida voters approved a ban on greyhound racing in 2018. The ban took effect at the end of December.
From the Associated Press