Decoupling Bill Advances in Florida

Two comprehensive gambling bills, one with a “decoupling” component that would allow some Florida's pari-mutuel licensees to drop live racing while still retaining gaming privileges, passed the Florida Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Wednesday by 8-4 margins.

One of the measures would also create a “purse pool” subsidy for Thoroughbred racing estimated at $40 million annually.

Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs would be exempt from decoupling.

Although representatives of various racing-related organizations were allowed to speak, the overall tone of the session, which was strictly limited to two hours, indicated that the committee was through hearing testimony after previously prolonged sessions of it and was ready to vote on the proposed bills.

“[A] purse pool is certainly appreciated as a platform that we can build upon,” Lonny Powell, the chief executive officer of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' & Owners' Association, was allowed to testify hurriedly just before the measure was called to a vote. “We appreciate that. You [committee chairman Rob Bradley] have always made every effort so that our two main live racetracks were not decoupled. Those are positive steps we can build upon.”

After the vote though, the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association didn't seem too keen on the results, based on back-to-back Twitter posts from the organization that read, in part, “A day of hypocrisy in Florida Economic Development” and “owners, trainers, breeders do NOT support purse pools!”

Passage by the senate panel was only the initial “committee of reference” for the proposed bills. That means the senate president can designate at least one other committee to review them before they go to the full senate.

Last week, the Florida House passed versions of three of its own gambling bills.

All of this legislation could be components to a sweeping 20-year, $3-billion agreement known as the Seminole Gaming Compact that will be subject to further tweaking or approval by the entire state legislature.

According to www.floridapolitics.com, committee chairman Bradley told reporters after the vote that although there's a chance the compact may not be approved by the legislature this session, “this is a work in progress…I suspect the final landing place, if there is a final landing place, will look a little different.”