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Democratic Rep. Dan Daley has filed a bill to revive harness racing and enhance pari-mutuel wagering in Florida. The sport met its fate last April when it was discontinued in the Sunshine State.
Currently, there is no way operators can receive permits for harness racing. The bill, HB 275, would allow anyone who already holds a gaming permit- whether for greyhound racing, quarter-horse racing or jai alai games- to run harness races. In doing so, customers could, in theory, once again place bets on harness races.
A summary of the bill states it:
“authorizes specified permitholders to elect to conduct live harness horse racing; authorizes Florida Gaming Control Commission to approve certain changes to operating dates.”
If ed by the state legislature and signed by the governor, the bill would go into effect on July 1, 2023.
Third times a charm for pari-mutuel wagering bill
HB 275 is identical to HB 1269, legislation filed by Daley last year. In February, when speaking on HB 1269, Daley said:
“This bill simply gives existing permit holders the opportunity to offer Standardbred racing in this state.”
Unfortunately, the last two bills did not make it out of committee.
Commitment to jobs
According to Floridapolitics, Daley says at least 15,000 jobs are at risk because of harness racing’s disappearance.
In a statement, Daley said:
“Thousands of families are counting on us to do what is right for Florida.”
Caesars Entertainment and its development partner, The Cordish Companies, announced the rebranding of Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park as Harrah’s Pompano Beach.
Caesars closed Pompano Park, the last racing location, to redevelop the land with a 950-room hotel complete with an entertainment and retail district. Construction is underway and will include a 15,000-square-foot Florida casino expansion.
Although the casino development appears to be a lost cause, Daley is not going down without a fight.
“I’m not giving up on this industry,” he said.
